·
Covid-19 – more then 100,000 infected around the world, six
countries where tourists are prohibited from traveling and 17, which are
recommended to be avoided.
·
“Defender Europe
2020” – 40,000 participants
from 17 NATO countries (and Georgia).
One would like to ask: who will win? And soon we can check it out.
Polish Minister of
Defense Mariusz Blaszczak has already announced the existence of a secret
document:
“The use
of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland in anti-epidemic, sanitary and
hygienic measures, the provision of medical care and the elimination of
biological pollution and infections.”
Surely such secret
instructions are also available in other countries participating in the
exercise.
Although it would be better not
to test the ability of NATO doctrines to withstand the modern virus.
And then what? Cancel? This makes no sense. Although many
are already starting to support this idea. Currently on the Internet you can
find many petitions for the abolition of the exercise. Under them are the
signatures of thousands of Europeans.
But in such important issues as
ensuring the security of Europe, it would be foolish to take into account the
opinion of ordinary citizens who are not versed in this issue.
With the exception of civilian
petitions, there are opinions of scholars and professional military personnel.
According to the professors, the large troop movements within the
framework of Defender Europe 2020 can contribute to the spread of corona virus
infection throughout the European continent. And
at the present time, the transfer of American troops to European ports is on
the peak. And the source of a dangerous virus can be not only people. But also
the transport in which dust particles containing the virus remained.
The first cases of
corona virus have already been detected in Germany, Poland. Italy is a hotbed
of infection. In the United States, 1635 cases of corona virus infection were
recorded, 41 people died. According to a Pentagon spokesman, Ryan McCarthy,
Lieutenant General Christopher Cavoli and several other members of his
headquarters could become infected with the new corona virus.
But there is positive news from
doctors. Of
more than 100,000 infected, more than 52,000 people recovered. In addition, the
Chinese say they seem to have created a vaccine. But it’s too early to talk
about its effectiveness.
Covid-19 makes serious
adjustments to plans for major official events.
Geneva Motor Show was canceled.
A similar fate threatens the annual European Eurovision music contest.
Endangered football Champions League, Europa League threatened. As part of
these events, matches are already being held without spectators. The fact of
holding the Summer Olympic Games in Japan is questionable. The matter of their
cancellation or rescheduling is seriously considered.
The first canceled military
events appear.
Thus, the Finnish
Ministry of Defense announced that Finnish troops will not take part in NATO’s
major “Cold Response 2020” exercise. The U.S. and Israeli military exercises “Juniper cobra missile
defense”, as well as the joint U.S.-South Korean exercises, have been canceled.
Against
this background, it would be logical if not to cancel, then at least postpone
the “Defender Europe 2020” exercise.
On February 28, the US
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel signed instructions recommending that
all military commanders take comprehensive measures to preserve the health of
military personnel and members of their families located in foreign countries.
One of the points of the document provides for the possibility of reducing the
scale or canceling exercises and other combat training activities. Moreover,
commanders of expeditionary military formations are vested with the rights to
impose restrictions.
In connection with the rapid
spread of corona virus in Europe, a ban has been imposed on visits by the US
military to crowded places and local institutions.
But the instructions
of the US military official are unlikely to extend to the exercises “Defender
Europe 2020”. Their real cancellation is possible only in the case of mass
deaths among US soldiers. Otherwise, the exercise will be carried out according to
plans.
Because along with a demonstration of
American military power, Defender is an economic project.
The sale of arms to NATO countries
should bring billions of dollars, which the American leadership is definitely
not ready to give up.
