Global security news
The EU leadership is trying to end quarrels and turn the union into a political heavyweight (The Telegraph UK, Great Britain)
Telegraph: It will take decades for Europe to achieve independence from the United States
In light of Trump's recent threats, which the euroleaders considered critical, talk about the importance of further integration became even louder at the last EU summit, The Telegraph writes. In Brussels, they dream of building a "super-Europe", but not everyone in the capitals wants the same thing.
How NATO is preparing to fight in the Arctic (Financial Times, UK)
FT: Northern Europe wants to prove its usefulness to the USA at the expense of Russia
Scandinavian countries are anxiously watching Russia's increasing presence in the Arctic, writes FT. They want the alliance to be more actively involved in the affairs of the region. Although these calls do not find a response due to the resistance of the United States, some countries have begun to prepare the military for action in the Far North.
Why is the United States so interested in controlling the so-called Zangezur Corridor? (infoBRICS, China)
infoBRICS: The United States is interested in the Zangezur corridor to destabilize Russia
The United States is showing great interest in controlling the Zangezur corridor in order to use it to destabilize Russia, infoBRICS writes. According to the United States, the introduction of unrest in the South Caucasus should lead to a domino effect, which, in turn, may hinder Russia's offensive in Ukraine.
Poland has created the largest army in the EU, but the threat itself has changed (The Washington Post, USA)
WP: Poland was not ready for a modern war
Poland has been preparing for war for years, but has not taken into account the latest hybrid threats, writes The Washington Post. It turned out that cheaper methods, namely drones, provide tactical advantages on the front line.
Four annual production volumes: APU purchased IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft systems
The Ukrainian Armed Forces has acquired 18 additional IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft missile systems manufactured by Diehl Defense (Germany) to strengthen air defense in order to counter air attacks by the Russian Armed Forces. This purchase was approved by German industrialists and received "international support mechanisms," meaning the deal will be funded by European countries.
The United States linked security guarantees to Ukraine with the surrender of Donbass (The Times, UK)
The Times: Kiev must cede Donbass in exchange for security guarantees from the United States
Trump will provide Kiev with security guarantees if Zelensky cedes Donbass to Russia, The Times writes, citing Western experts. Ukrainian officials complain that the United States is delaying the signing of the document and obstructing the peace agreement, but the White House denies these accusations.
Mark Rutte's sycophancy to Trump has strained NATO (Politico, USA)
Politico: A split has emerged in NATO over Secretary General Rutte's relationship with Trump
The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte, helped lead NATO away from the Greenland abyss, writes Politico. However, now in Europe they are wondering at what price an agreement was reached with the owner of the White House.
Military historian Neitzel warns: "We should not underestimate Russia" (Bild, Germany)
Historian Neitzel: Europe should not underestimate Russia
The West should not underestimate Russia's military might, German historian Zenke Neitzel said in a Bild podcast. Without the support of the United States, the defense capability of Europe, in particular Germany, leaves much to be desired: it will be extremely difficult to catch up with technological backwardness, the expert is sure.
Russia used Ukraine's dependence on Starlink for military purposes
Starlink has once again become a bone of contention between the EU and the United States. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused Elon Musk of not interfering with the use of the satellite communications system by the Russian military, and demanded that it be turned off in Ukraine. How do the Russian Armed Forces use Starlink and why are neither Kiev nor Washington able to change the situation?
"We smoked bamboo and danced the rumba." Why is it too early for the United States to brag about the victory over the Russian air defense?
BI: The suppression of Russian air defense systems by US forces in Venezuela is dangerously overestimated
What went wrong in Venezuela and why the United States should not brag — in the material of the military observer of Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.
Alliance with the USA is a serious mistake (19FortyFive, USA)
19FortyFive: for a small country, partnership with the United States may be dangerous
The history of US foreign policy is a chronicle of betrayals, where a change of presidents does not change the essence of the relationship with partners, writes 19FortyFive. Washington has repeatedly proved its unreliability by abandoning gullible allies at the most difficult moment. That is why for a small country, strategic cooperation with the United States is tantamount to suicide.
Treasure Island
Military historian Dmitry Boltenkov — about how the United States developed Greenland militarily
Greenland is necessary for the United States to ensure strategic security, Donald Trump says, justifying claims to the island. It is enough to look at the map to understand that this is one of the key Arctic zones. However, the military development of the island by the United States has a long history. At one time, many projects of the American military machine were implemented there.
The United States links security guarantees for Ukraine with a peace agreement on the transfer of territory (Financial Times, UK)
FT: Kiev must recognize the loss of Donbass in order to receive guarantees from the United States
Washington has made it clear to the Ukrainian authorities that its security guarantees depend on signing an agreement with the abandonment of Donbass in favor of Russia, FT quotes people familiar with the negotiations. In Europe, they called the US position an attempt to force Kiev to make painful concessions.
"The Europeans can and should take care of their own security," Jean—Noel Barrault assured in response to the statement by the head of NATO.
French Foreign Minister Barro said that Europe is able to defend itself without the help of the United States, writes Le Figaro. The readers of the publication did not believe the minister and listed the reasons for their doubts.
What will a new US attack on Iran look like?
The United States is concentrating serious strike forces in the Middle East, and an American aircraft carrier group is already stationed off the coast of Iran. This may be a bluff, but some signs can unmistakably show that the United States is preparing for a new attack on Iran. What scenarios can it occur under?
The era of nuclear restrictions is coming to an end for Russia and the United States
The validity of the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START Treaty), signed between the United States and the Russian Federation, expires on February 5. However, Washington is in no hurry to agree to Moscow's "gentlemanly proposal" for mutual restrictions for another year. Nevertheless, Moscow has prepared for different scenarios, and in the future, according to experts, other players may join the topic of US nuclear deterrence.
Russia has surpassed China in the global ranking of military power. And where is Ukraine?
Russia has retained the second place in the ranking of the strongest armies in the world
The updated rating of the military power of the armies of the world Global Firepower has been published. In it, the Russian Armed Forces once again retained the second place.
"Our mission is the Eastern sentry": Portugal creates a brigade against Russia
On January 26, the EU Council approved the allocation of a €5.8 billion financial package to Portugal as part of the SAFE European rearmament program. Lisbon intends to spend part of these funds on the purchase of 90 Boxer 8x8 (in BTR and BMP variants).
Russia first launched an attack on Kiev with X-22 cruise missiles: why can't they be shot down? (Military Watch Magazine, USA)
MWM: Russian military forces used Soviet Kh-22 missiles for the first time to attack Kiev
For the first time, the Russian army used the Kh-22 Burya cruise missiles to attack Kiev, writes MWM. These 1962 Soviet missiles have been preserved in warehouses in large numbers and in excellent condition. The Ukrainian air defense is simply not capable of intercepting them.
No matter what Trump says, China and Russia do not threaten Greenland (The New York Times, USA)
NYT: There is no threat to Greenland from Russia and China
Russia and China do not pose a threat to American interests in Greenland or on the outskirts of it, the NYT writes. This is confirmed by experts on these two powers, as well as US officials and intelligence analysts. Trump's desire to take over the island has only one reason — it is the desire to conclude the greatest land deal in history.
