In first US live-fire exercise in Croatia, paratroopers fire Stinger missiles
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
Paratroopers fire Stingers in a first for 173rd Airborne Brigade
Stars & Stripes, Apr 13 2022Soldiers with the US Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade are fresh off an exercise in Croatia. It was the first time the brigade had fired live FIM-92 Stinger missiles instead of replicas, according to the Vicenza-based unit. The drill also marked the first time the Croatian Air Defense Regiment had conducted a live-fire exercise with US forces. The two-man squads, consisting of a team chief and a gunner, fired their missiles at or over a small target with a flare, and the missiles landed in the Adriatic Sea, said Capt Rob Haake, a brigade spokesman. The two dozen paratroopers with the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment launched 12 of the shoulder-fired, infrared homing surface-to-air missiles, which cost about $38k each. The exercise took place Friday and Saturday near Pula as part of Operation Shield, a long-running annual drill run by Croatia, which joined NATO in 2009. Stingers have been provided in large numbers by the US and allies to Ukrainian forces.
Response to Yellen’s “blatant threat to China” over Ukraine
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
No way Yellen can scare China into changing stance on Ukraine issue
Global Times, Apr 14 2022US Treasury Sec Janet Yellen on Wednesday called on China to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and she warned that China will face a loss of its standing in the world. She said: “The world’s attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by China’s reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia.” This is a blatant threat to China, but China never accepts or becomes frightened by such threats. China’s international status is achieved by its own strength, rather than granted by the US. As treasury secretary, Yellen should know this better than anyone else. Yellen’s remarks are aimed at dragging China into the chaos and smearing China at the same time, to create the impression that China is not a responsible power. However, this is of little substance, said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University. Li told the Global Times: “The measures the US can take against China have already been in use for years. Washington had engaged in various sanctions since it launched the trade war with China, which turned out to be ineffective. It is just trying to use the Ukraine crisis to blackmail China more comprehensively.” Li also argues that Washington hopes to take advantage of the Ukraine issue to “suffocate” Russia.
The US Labor Dept data released on Tuesday shows that consumers in the US paid more for everyday items in March, to their highest level in 40 years, as inflation rose to 8.5%. And gasoline prices have skyrocketed. By prolonging the war in Ukraine, the US government is trying to shift the problems to other countries. But this is just drinking poison to quench their thirst. The Biden administration announced on Wednesday an additional $800m in weapons to Ukraine, including artillery, armored personnel carriers and helicopters. The US is the last country that wants to see a ceasefire in Ukraine. It is impossible for the US to put out the flames of war in Ukraine because it will not allow Ukraine to accept Russia’s conditions, Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, told the Global Times. The divergence between what the US says and does reflects contradictions in the US policies. Zhu said: “Yellen’s statements show that senior US administration officials have realized a prolonged war in Ukraine could have a huge impact on global industrial chains. They are anxious about the ‘gray rhino’ that can spark a new decline in the world economy. There is even a good chance that the US economy will enter recession in the second half of the year. However, the need of domestic political and security interests has led the US to continue to pretend to be a staunch supporter of ‘democracy,’ ‘freedom’ and ‘human rights’ in Ukraine.”
Washington holds no moral ground on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The US takes advantage of the insecurity the conflict has brought to Europe and its uncompromising competition with Russia for its own strategic goals. Washington can be said to be the initiator of the entire crisis. The US’ unjustified policy toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict has increasingly taken a toll. It will simply further hurt the global economy by pointing the gun at China. According to Zhu, US pressure won’t make China budge, nor will China yield to pressure. China and the US need to coordinate on how to stabilize the world economy and ease the situation in Ukraine. By substituting threats for coordination, the US shows the arrogance of its policy elite and the tragedy of US diplomacy.
Yellen’s threats against China prompt calls for precautions to protect Chinese interests
Global Times, Apr 14 2022After US Treasury Sec Janet Yellen issued threats against China over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Chinese experts on Thursday cautioned about the rising risk of potential US actions against Chinese businesses and called for precautions, including possible counter-measures, to safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests. Also on Thursday, a spox for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce vowed to take “necessary measures” to protect Chinese businesses’ rights and interests, after reports of certain foreign companies forcing Chinese firms to take sides over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The spox stated that sanctions against Russia have caused disruptions to normal China-Russia trade activities. The latest official remarks from both sides showed that diplomatic tension between China and US over the Ukraine situation may extend to the economic field, as Washington is running out of options against Russia and becomes increasingly unhinged in trying to force other countries to follow its sanctions against Russia, analysts noted.
During a speech on Wednesday US time, Yellen warned that China would lose its standing in the world if it does not help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict and threatened that countries seeking to undermine Western sanctions against Russia could face economic consequences, according to a Reuters report. Yellen said at the Atlantic Council in Washington: “The world’s attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by China’s reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia.” Yellen also said that it would be increasingly difficult for China and the West to separate economic issues from broader national security concerns.
Some foreign media outlets described the remarks as a pointed warning to China. Shu commented on reports of certain foreign companies trying to force Chinese firms to take sides over the conflict, telling a press conference: “Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sanctions imposed by relevant countries on Russia have caused disruptions to normal trade between China and Russia.” Given the rising risk of the US taking actions against Chinese interests, underscored by Yellen’s threats, China should prepare a set of reciprocal measures, under the new Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, to counter possible US sanctions and protect Chinese businesses, analysts said.
150 Kyrgyz treated after armed clash at Tajik border
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
150 injured in Batken received medical assistance on the ground – Health Minister
AKI Press, Apr 14 2022There are 15 ambulance cars on the border in Batken region, Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev told reporters on Apr 14. 150 injured received medical assistance in local hospitals, he said. Doctors on the border provided medical assistance to 6 wounded, the Health Minister said. The border incident occurred on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on Apr 12.
Lithuania raises stakes on Kaliningrad by claiming Russia bases nuclear weapons there
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
Lithuania: Russia has nuclear weapons in Baltic
Azeri Press Agency, Apr 14 2022Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas stated that Russia already has nuclear weapons in the Baltic region when speaking to BNS on Thursday The minister said Russian threats to deploy nuclear weapons in the Baltic region are “rather strange,” as it is found just 100 km from the Lithuanian border. “Nuclear weapons have always been kept in the Kaliningrad region,” he added. Previously, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned about taking measures in case Sweden and Finland apply for NATO membership as the two countries have earlier discussed.
Russia-US military tensions rise near Kuril Islands
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
Russian submarines fire missiles in Sea of Japan drills: report
Kyodo News Agency, Apr 14 2022Two submarines of the Russian Pacific Fleet launched Kalibr cruise missiles in drills in the Sea of Japan Thursday, according to TASS, in an apparent warning to Japan and the US, engaged in a joint military exercise nearby. Two diesel-electric submarines, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Volkhov, fired missiles while submerged against a naval target, the news agency reported citing the Fleet’s press office. The launch came as Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln conducted their joint exercise.
Top South Korean, US military officers board US aircraft carrier in East Sea
Yonhap News Agency, Apr 14 2022Top South Korean and US military officers on Thursday boarded a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier sailing in the East Sea, sources said, in a rare move to highlight the allies’ unity amid concerns about possible North Korean provocations. Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen Won In-choul and Gen Paul LaCamera, the head of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, met aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier that arrived in the waters earlier this week in a show of America’s military might. On Wednesday, the US 7th Fleet showed photos depicting the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier, F-35Cs, an F/A-18E Super Hornet and E-2D Hawk Eye early warning aircraft engaging in the drills with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force. It marks the first such carrier maneuvers of the US Navy in the East Sea since late 2017, when tensions soared due to a string of Pyongyang’s major provocations, including its sixth nuclear experiment.
“NATO is a big family”: Turkey leads NATO quick reaction air drills over Baltic
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
Turkish E-7T Provides Airborne Command and Control for Exercise Ramstein Alloy
NATO, Apr 14 2022A Turkish Air Force E-7T, flying from Geilenkirchen Air Base for the first time, acted as the airborne command and control post for fighter activities above the Baltic Sea Region during NATO’s multinational exercise Ramstein Alloy 22-1, Apr 11-12 2022. The Ramstein Alloy exercise happens three times per year and offers training to enhance the Quick Reaction Alert capabilities in the Baltic region. Participation by the Turkish E-7T aircraft and crew marks their third visit to this region and the first time they have deployed to Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany. Having a NATO Ally from the South operating in the Northern part of Europe builds important relationships for the future. “NATO is a big family,” said Chief Master Sergeant Deniz Canturk, a system specialist and senior surveillance operator. “Participating in missions in every single inch of NATO territory is preparation for the collective defence of our homes.“ The E-7T aircraft, based on a 737-700 commercial plane, has an advanced radar and is capable of detecting air and maritime targets simultaneously. The Turkish Air Force has had the early warning capability since 2014 and in 2021 it started to fly missions over the NATO Allied airspace as part of NATO”s Assurance Measures. Sharing the RAP with all stakeholders, including Partner nations Sweden and Finland, is a key part of the Exercise.
Photo: NATO
Eastern Europe: NATO warplanes from 12 nations probe, taunt Russia
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
NATO fighter jets secure the sky over eastern Europe
NATO, Apr 14 2022NATO Allies have substantially increased the number of fighter jets on alert across eastern Europe. Fighter jets from 12 NATO countries are flying from home bases, aircraft carriers and forward airfields to conduct air patrols over Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania around the clock. These fighter jets are actively monitoring the airspace over and adjacent to NATO Allies. The fighter jets are also supported by Allied refuelling aircraft and NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to maintain a heightened state of readiness to reinforce the deterrence and defence posture of NATO’s eastern flank.
NATO partner Colombia ready to supplant Russian hydrocarbons in Europe
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
Colombia is ready to supply energy to the US and the EU
Azertag, Apr 14 2022Colombia is ready to increase coal and hydrocarbon production to replace Russia’s energy resources in western markets. The statement came from Colombian President Ivan Duke in an interview with CNN. “The US and Europe already understand that Russia’s dependence on energy supplies must be eliminated. Colombia can contribute to solving this problem, “said Ivan Duke. According to the Colombian leader, they are ready to increase production of oil and gas, hydrogen and coal. “Colombia can immediately increase coal production. We have one of the largest reserves in the world and we do not use it,“ he added.
US Army continues to nurture Georgian proxy forces
Rick Rozoff, AntiBellum, Apr 14 2022
Meeting of the Commander of the Defense Forces with Maj-Gen Joseph Gerrard
Georgian Ministry of Defense, Apr 14 2022Special Assistant Commander of the US Army in Europe is visiting Georgia. Maj-Gen Joseph Gerrard was hosted by the Commander of the Georgian Defense Forces. The Commander of the Defense Forces stressed the fruitful close cooperation between the Georgian Defense Forces and the US Army Command in Europe. He briefed Maj-Gen Joseph Gerrard on the ongoing transformation process in the Georgian Defense Forces, important projects implemented with the involvement and support of the US Army to increase Georgia’s defense capabilities. The sides reviewed security challenges in the region and the world. The generals condemned the developments in Ukraine.
Niqnaq 