Do Russia's western war games deliver a threat, or just a message?

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | September 19, 2017 | Jason Thomson

[Jagermonster]

MODES OF THOUGHT   The week-long war games in Russia and Belarus, dubbed 'Zapad' for 'West,' have nerves on edge in eastern NATO countries that are deeply distrustful of Russian aims. But Moscow knows it is being watched closely.

WASHINGTON—President Vladimir Putin watched through a cool drizzle in Russia's far western reaches Monday, just 70 miles from his country’s border with the European Union, as Russian tanks and paratroopers battled fictional extremist groups. Fighter jets and missiles screamed overhead.

The confrontation was just one part of “Zapad 2017,” a huge military exercise involving both Russia and Belarus that has caused some hand-wringing in parts of NATO, not least its eastern capitals.

While the war games are nothing out of the ordinary – a regular effort by the Kremlin to exercise and train its forces, as all militaries tend to do – there is also little doubt that Moscow intends a message to be sent loud and clear to leaders in the West, a demonstration of its modernized forces and a warning not to venture too close.

The scenario underpinning the games sees Belarus, Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, and parts of Russia itself under threat from terrorist activity originating in three made-up countries – Vesbaria, Lubenia, and Veishnoria – with support “from abroad.” The Kremlin says the exercises are solely defensive in nature.

Yet the fears expressed in Eastern Europe are based on recent history: Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, its 2014 annexation of Crimea, and its ongoing involvement in Ukraine’s simmering conflict.

[Jagermonster]

Excerpted per rules.

[Molon Labbie]

Russian war games...Russian troops are so tough they shoot at themselves.

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=326_1505826315

[Jagermonster]

I suppose that’s why they need the practice?

[blueunicorn6]

The Russians like Frank Zappa?

I wonder which song of his is their favorite?

“Don’t Eat Yellow Snow. Is Not Same As Lemon Ice”

[Molon Labbie]

We had flashcards to teach us the difference between Warsaw Pact and Nato weapons platforms. I guess Ivan has to blow his up to be told, “Nyet! Nyet!”

[colorado tanker]

The Russians have turned Kaliningrad into one of the armpits of Europe, although I think Belarus still has the overall title.

[BBell]

I read they shot some reporters.

[DoughtyOne]

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President Donald J. Trump and the Free Republic of the United States of America
President Donald J. Trump's address to the United Nations on 09/19/2017.

Ramirez political cartoon: United and Undaunted LARGE VERSION 09/19/2017: LINK  LINK to regular sized versions of his political cartoons (archive).
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[BBell]

Flash mobs a big in Kaliningrad

[Robert357]

NATO should conduct war games in Finland. They should call it “White Death.” The Russians would understand the implication.