The following is the Sept. 29, 2022, Congressional Research Service report, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania: Background and U.S.-Baltic Relations. Read More
Tag Archives: Lithuania
Lithuanian PM: Putin Underestimated Ukraine’s Willingness To Fight Off Russian Invasion
Russian President Vladimir Putin
A frontline prime minister in the Ukraine crisis said today that Russian President Vladimir Putin underestimated Ukraine’s willingness to fight off a Russian invasion.
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Panel: NATO Still Key to Counter Persistent Russian Threat
The Kremlin is wasting no opportunity to try dividing European and North American allies as a more aggressive Russia has crawled way back to the front stage as a military and political threat to NATO, according to a panel alliance experts.
New U.K.-Led Maritime First Responder Force Takes to Sea at BALTOPS
HMS Albion (L14) conducted officer of the watch maneuvers today (25th May 2109), in company with HNLMS Johan de Witt (L801), HDMS Absalon (L16), RFA Argus (A135), HNoMS Glimt (P964) and HNoMS Steil (P963). The maneuvers are a test for the bridge team, operating in such close proximity to the other ships in the task group. HMS Albion is currently deployed on Baltic Protector 19, the inaugural deployment of Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime). Royal Navy photo
ABOARD HMS ALBION, IN THE BALTIC SEA – The U.K. and its partners are testing out a first-responder force that could beat NATO to the punch if a crisis were to occur in Northern European waters. Read More
U.S. 2nd Fleet Kicks Off BALTOPS 2019
Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet, speaks to Sailors on the bridge aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) on Sept. 10, 2018. US Navy PhotoBA
THE PENTAGON – A massive U.S.-led NATO and European partner exercise is kicking-off near Russia in the Baltic Sea and led by the Norfolk, Va.-based U.S. 2nd Fleet.
Truman Carrier Strike Group Leveraging Unusual Deployment to Work on Undersea Warfare, Strengthen Northern NATO Partnerships
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducts flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 18, 2018. US Navy photo.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is in the midst of an unusual deployment – currently operating in the North Sea, in Act II of its deployment that had a working port visit intermission – but the strike group commander said the deployment has allowed his sailors to focus on high-end warfare and train in ranges not usually available to them. Read More
Panel: Moscow Could Stir Trouble in Baltics to Distract From Conflict in Ukraine
Estonian army scouts from 1st Battalion practicing their defensive maneuvers during Exercise SIIL/Steadfast Javelin in 2015. NATO Photo
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are three important U.S. allies who present a tempting target to the Kremlin to distract from Russia’s ongoing involvement in Ukraine, a panel of experts said Tuesday. Read More
Global Commitments, Trump Statements Lead to Increase in Canadian Defense Budget
Canadian soldiers storm the beach near Mayport during a UNITAS Gold amphibious assault demonstration in 2009.
Canada’s announcement to boost its defense budget by 70 percent over ten years comes after more than a decade of low spending, but also a period of intense operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere that has worn down both equipment and personnel. Read More
Panel: NATO Unprepared to Defend Baltics from Russian Attack
Estonian army scouts from 1st Battalion practicing their defensive maneuvers during Exercise SIIL/Steadfast Javelin in 2015. NATO Photo
While NATO remains unprepared to defend its most exposed states, positioning three American armored brigades in or near the Baltics would be a good first step in providing more effective deterrence against possible Russian moves, three experts in international security told the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land subcommittee Wednesday. Read More
Breedlove: U.S. and Russia Need Better Communications On Tactical Nukes
Retired NATO commander Gen. Philip Breedlove on June 8, 2016. Atlantic Council Image
The U.S. needs to “establish quality communications with the Russians” to back Moscow away from implementing tactical nuclear weapons in times of crisis, the recently retired NATO commander said. Read More
