Russia Launches Surprise Large-Scale, 36 Warship Military Exercise In The Black Sea
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Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/28/2013 14:34 -0400

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Many were wondering what Russia’s response to Germany’s deposit confiscation drill in Cyprus would be. The confusion was moderated somewhat after it was uncovered that the very Russians who were supposed to be punished, have been able to withdraw some or most of their Cyprus-based cash either before the Cyprus D(eposit Confiscation)-Day or during the capital controlled blackout using various disclosed loopholes. Yet that doesn’t mean that Putin would avoid this opportunity to give the “developed world” and his closest neighbors a quick lesson in realpolitik. After all, who better than a former KGB agent understands that one should never let a crisis go to waste. Sure enough, today at 4 am, in a very surprising move, Puitin ordered the launch of large-scale Russian military exercises in the Black Sea region in a move which according to Reuters “may create tensions with Russia’s post-Soviet neighbors Ukraine and Georgia.” Of course, it may create tensions with our island nations reachable by the Russian naval fleet, such as Cyprus, which would naturally mean tensions with the same European (read German) forces who structured the entire Cypriot bail in.

From Reuters:

Putin issued the order to start the previously unannounced maneuvers at 4 a.m. Moscow time (12.00 a.m. EDT) as he flew back from an international summit in South Africa, his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters by telephone.

“These are large-scale unannounced test exercises,” Peskov said, adding that 36 warships and an unspecified number of warplanes would take part. “The main goal is to check the readiness and cohesion of the various units.”

He did not say how long the exercises would last.

Putin has stressed the importance of a strong and agile military since he returned to the presidency last May after four years as prime minister. In 13 years in power, he has often cited external threats when talking of the need for unity in Russia.

Russia’s Black Sea fleet, whose main base is in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, was instrumental in a war with Georgia in 2008 over the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Disputes with Kiev over Moscow’s continued lease of the Black Sea navy base have been a thorn in relations with its former Soviet neighbor.

Peskov said that Russia is under no obligation to warn neighbors ahead of time of plans to hold the air and sea military exercises as long as fewer than 7,000 servicemen participated in the maneuvers.

And while the proposed explanation may be valid, something tells us that in this specific case it was not the Ukraine or Georgia that were being contemplated, but the island nations in the Mediterranean, or rather nation, especially the one located in close proximity to Syria.

Keep a close eye on if and when news hits that some 36 Russian warships quietly passed through the Bosphorus in direction Nicosia. Perhaps if Cyprus was so quick to hand over its Russian economic interest, all that would be needed to make it flip on its dedication to the Eurozone would be a brief but insistent naval semi-blockade. After all, few things are quite as persuasive as 36 warships sitting idly by doing not much of anything.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-28/russia-launches-surprise-large-scale-36-warship-military-exercise-black-sea

The Russian navy is about to stage its largest war exercise in a long time — possibly the largest since before the breakup of the Soviet Union. It’s a chance for President Vladimir Putin to show off his military might, of course. But the exercise may also be a subtle warning to the United States: Stay clear of waters that traditionally lie in Russia’s sphere of influence.

The Russian defense ministry says its the “first time in decades” it’s launched naval exercises on this scale. The drills involve warships from all of Russia’s fleets: “the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific,” noted a statement from the ministry. The exercise will be reportedly held in late January, and involve amphibious landings in the Caucasus and naval exercises in the Mediterranean.

Putin has undertaken a major $ 659 billion arms buildup through 2020. On Thursday, the Defense Ministry in Moscow also announced the scale of its ongoing naval increase. By 2016, a statement noted, Russia will have 18 new warships, “and also 30 special-purpose and counter-subversion vessels,” along with six new submarines. One of these vessels, the Borei class ballistic missile sub Yuri Dolgoruky, joined the fleet this week.

What’s odd is the timing, and location. The choice of the Black Sea and Mediterranean has led to some speculation that the exercises are cover for an evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria, with estimates ranging from 9,000 to 30,000 people. Could be. Syria’s civil war has been drastically getting worse. But Russia also has more practical reasons for putting on a show of force in area. As far as some in Moscow see it, the Black Sea is under threat.

In November, Anna Glazova, a military analyst at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, wrote in the Russian defense magazine National Defence that the U.S. is seeking to “take military control of the Black Sea region.” The evidence: Washington has moved to install missile defense interceptors in Turkey and Romania — ostensibly to shoot down Iranian missiles — but with the Russians seeing it as aimed at them. Romania and Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004, which in Moscow’s eyes, meant “the Americans actually took control of the western Black Sea coast,” wrote Glazova.

That’s a bit strong. The U.S. has been restricted by treaty since 1936 in the number of warships it can sail through the Turkish-controlled Bosporus Straits, and how long Washington can keep them in the Black Sea. On the other hand, over the past two years, U.S. cruisers have visited ports in Ukraine and Georgia. Among them included the cruisers Vella Gulf, Philippine Sea and Monterrey, each equipped with Aegis ballistic-missile defense systems.

But the Black Sea is a great setting for this drama to play out. Historically, it’s in Russia’s backyard, so to speak. But the U.S. isn’t about to send an aircraft carrier into the sea to help out Georgia in the event of another war. During the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, the Pentagon planned to send two hospital ships into the sea, but were blocked by Turkey. (Istanbul doesn’t allow more than 45,000 tons of warships into the Black Sea for countries not bordering it.) But a relative decline in Russia’s influence is enough to put on a big show.

“That leaves honor — or, more accurately, national redemption — as the main propellant for endeavors like this exercise. It’s all about demonstrating that Russia remains a sea power to be reckoned with,” says Jim Holmes, an associate professor of strategy at the Naval War College.

Later this month, we’ll have to chance to see to what extent. It’ll also be interesting to see if Putin has any surprises in store.

Link

The Russian navy is about to stage its largest war exercise in a long time — possibly the largest since before the breakup of the Soviet Union. It’s a chance for President Vladimir Putin to show off his military might, of course. But the exercise may also be a subtle warning to the United States: Stay clear of waters that traditionally lie in Russia’s sphere of influence.

The Russian defense ministry says its the “first time in decades” it’s launched naval exercises on this scale. The drills involve warships from all of Russia’s fleets: “the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific,” noted a statement from the ministry. The exercise will be reportedly held in late January, and involve amphibious landings in the Caucasus and naval exercises in the Mediterranean.

Putin has undertaken a major $ 659 billion arms buildup through 2020. On Thursday, the Defense Ministry in Moscow also announced the scale of its ongoing naval increase. By 2016, a statement noted, Russia will have 18 new warships, “and also 30 special-purpose and counter-subversion vessels,” along with six new submarines. One of these vessels, the Borei class ballistic missile sub Yuri Dolgoruky, joined the fleet this week.

What’s odd is the timing, and location. The choice of the Black Sea and Mediterranean has led to some speculation that the exercises are cover for an evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria, with estimates ranging from 9,000 to 30,000 people. Could be. Syria’s civil war has been drastically getting worse. But Russia also has more practical reasons for putting on a show of force in area. As far as some in Moscow see it, the Black Sea is under threat.

In November, Anna Glazova, a military analyst at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, wrote in the Russian defense magazine National Defence that the U.S. is seeking to “take military control of the Black Sea region.” The evidence: Washington has moved to install missile defense interceptors in Turkey and Romania — ostensibly to shoot down Iranian missiles — but with the Russians seeing it as aimed at them. Romania and Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004, which in Moscow’s eyes, meant “the Americans actually took control of the western Black Sea coast,” wrote Glazova.

That’s a bit strong. The U.S. has been restricted by treaty since 1936 in the number of warships it can sail through the Turkish-controlled Bosporus Straits, and how long Washington can keep them in the Black Sea. On the other hand, over the past two years, U.S. cruisers have visited ports in Ukraine and Georgia. Among them included the cruisers Vella Gulf, Philippine Sea and Monterrey, each equipped with Aegis ballistic-missile defense systems.

But the Black Sea is a great setting for this drama to play out. Historically, it’s in Russia’s backyard, so to speak. But the U.S. isn’t about to send an aircraft carrier into the sea to help out Georgia in the event of another war. During the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, the Pentagon planned to send two hospital ships into the sea, but were blocked by Turkey. (Istanbul doesn’t allow more than 45,000 tons of warships into the Black Sea for countries not bordering it.) But a relative decline in Russia’s influence is enough to put on a big show.

“That leaves honor — or, more accurately, national redemption — as the main propellant for endeavors like this exercise. It’s all about demonstrating that Russia remains a sea power to be reckoned with,” says Jim Holmes, an associate professor of strategy at the Naval War College.

Later this month, we’ll have to chance to see to what extent. It’ll also be interesting to see if Putin has any surprises in store.

Link

Major Us, Israeli Air Defense Exercise Begins

Posted on October 21, 2012 by # 1 NWO Hatr

AP JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says its largest ever exercise with the United States has begun.

A major air defense drill called Austere Challenge 2012 started Sunday and includes more than 3,500 Americans and 1,000 Israelis. The militaries are practicing their ability to work together against a range of threats facing Israel, the main U.S. ally in the Mideast.

The military exercise was originally scheduled for April but was postponed at Israel’s request. No reason was given but it came amid growing talk of Israel preparing to attack Iran if Tehran does not cease its uranium enrichment program.

The weeks-long joint exercise will test multiple Israeli and American air defense systems against incoming missiles and rockets from places as far away as Iran.

http://fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/major-us-israeli-air-defense-exercise-begins/24148/

US Leads Unprecedented War Games Exercise in Strait of Hormuz

The aggression show of force is the biggest such military exercise ever taken in the Persian Gulf, escalating tensions in an uneasy region

by John Glaser, September 15, 2012

Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are swarming into the Persian Gulf, in the largest such military exercise ever undertaken in the region, as concerns of a looming Israeli strike on Iran still linger

Countries leading the massive war games exercise inlcude the United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Fleets of warships will flood the Strait of Hormuz, the important waterway through which 40 percent of the world’s seaborne oil passes, as a show of force to deter Iran from trying to close the straits or retaliate against US assets in the region, even in response to an unprovoked Israeli strike.

Despite the unprecedented scale of the operations, chances of a US or Israeli strike on Iran have lessened considerably in recent weeks, as American refusal to back an Israeli strike have turned the tide of war-hawks in Israel. The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains one of the few still advocating harsher postures, and he is increasingly isolated.

A torrent of military and intelligence analysis rejecting the need or viability of a preventive strike on Iran have come out in recent days. A report by dozens of former government officials, national security experts and retired military officers released Thursday concluded military action would spark an uncontrollable regional war and have counterproductive results.

“We do not believe it would lead to regime change, regime collapse or capitulation,” the report says, adding that an attack would increase Iran’s motivation to build a bomb, in order to deter further military action “and redress the humiliation of being attacked.”

The US has made it clear to both Israel and Iran that a military strike is not imminent. “I suspect the Americans have given quiet assurances through indirect channels that they have no intention of moving into Iranian national waters,” Scott Lucas, an Iran expert at Birmingham University in England, said.

“Both sides have good reasons to avoid a conflict – they have other issues to deal with right now.” Still, the war games do a good job of escalating tensions in a very uneasy region.

http://news.antiwar.com/2012/09/15/us-leads-unprecedented-war-games-exercise-in-strait-of-hormuz/

Seven months ago, Israel and the United States postponed a massive joint military exercise that was originally set to go forward just as concerns were brimming that Israel would launch a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The exercise was rescheduled for late October, and appears likely to go forward on the cusp of the U.S. presidential election. But it won’t be nearly the same exercise. Well-placed sources in both countries have told TIME that Washington has greatly reduced the scale of U.S. participation, slashing by more than two-thirds the number of American troops going to Israel and reducing both the number and potency of missile interception systems at the core of the joint exercise.

“Basically what the Americans are saying is, ‘We don’t trust you,’” a senior Israeli military official tells TIME.

(PHOTOS: Land of Stories and Myths: Yaakov Israel Photographs His Homeland)

The reductions are striking. Instead of the approximately 5,000 U.S. troops originally trumpeted for Austere Challenge 12, as the annual exercise is called, the Pentagon will send only 1,500 service members, and perhaps as few as 1,200. Patriot anti-missile systems will arrive in Israel as planned, but the crews to operate them will not. Instead of two Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense warships being dispatched to Israeli waters, the new plan is to send one, though even the remaining vessel is listed as a “maybe,” according to officials in both militaries.

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to discuss specifics of the reduced deployment, noting that planning for the exercise was classified. But in an e-mailed statement, Commander Wendy L. Snyder emphasized that the Israeli military has been kept informed of the changes. “Throughout all the planning and coordination, we’ve been lock-step with the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and will continue to do so,” Snyder said.

U.S. commanders privately revealed the scaling back to their Israeli counterparts more than two months ago. The official explanation was budget restrictions. But the American retreat coincided with growing tensions between the Obama and Netanyahu administrations on Israel’s persistent threats to launch an airstrike on Iran. The Islamic Republic would be expected to retaliate by missile strikes, either through its own intermediate range arsenal or through its proxy, the Hizballah militia, which has more than 40,000 missiles aimed at Israel from neighboring Lebanon.

(MORE: Will Iran’s Third-World Jamboree Hasten an Israeli Attack? Probably Not)

In the current political context, the U.S. logic is transparent, says Israeli analyst Efraim Inbar. “I think they don’t want to insinuate that they are preparing something together with the Israelis against Iran – that’s the message,” says Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. “Trust? We don’t trust them. They don’t trust us. All these liberal notions! Even a liberal president like Obama knows better.”

The U.S. anti-missile systems are important because while Israel has made great strides in creating anti-missile shields that protect its population, it doesn’t have enough of them to deploy around the entire country, even with the U.S. aid specifically dedicated to building more (as well as crucial offensive capabilities, such as mid-air refuelers and possibly bunker-busting bombs). That makes the presence of the Patriots – first deployed to Israel during the First Gulf War, when Saddam Hussein fired Scuds toward the Jewish State — and other U.S. anti-missile systems extremely valuable. Austere Challenge was billed by assistant secretary of state Andrew J. Shapiro last November as “by far the largest and most significant exercise in U.S.-Israeli history.” A stated goal was to “improve interoperability” between American and Israeli anti-missile systems – which are already significantly linked. The U.S. maintains an X-band radar installation in Israel’s Negev Desert, pointed toward Iran and linked to Israel’s Arrow anti-missile system.

(MORE: Is Israel Angling for a Commitment from Obama on Iran?)

The radar is extraordinarily powerful, so sensitive it can detect a softball thrown into the air from thousands of miles away. But as TIME reported earlier, only Americans are allowed to see what’s on the screens, a situation that likely serves to inhibit any Israeli decision to “go it alone” against Iran, because the U.S. array can detect an Iranian missile launch six to seven minutes earlier than Israel’s best radar. Difficult as it may be to imagine U.S. decision-makers holding back information that could save Israeli lives, both by giving them more time to reach a shelter, or their interceptors to lock onto and destroy an incoming Shahab-3, the risk looms in the complex calculus of Israeli officials mulling an attack on Iran.

Inside Israel, reports persist that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense chief Ehud Barak are determined to launch a strike, and American officials continue to urge restraint. Israeli analysts say Netanyahu wants Obama to send a letter committing to U.S. military action by a specific date if Iran has not acceded to concessions, but the U.S. administration does not appear to be complying. U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey told reporters in London this week that a military strike could damage but not destroy Iran’s nuclear capability, and added, “I don’t want to be complicit if they choose to do it.”

h ttp://world.time.com/2012/08/31/exclusive-u-s-scales-back-military-exercise-with-israel-affecting-potential-iran-strike/