tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post9156880213729950662..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Moscow Moves InGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-72814085131207874292015-09-09T08:10:46.736-04:002015-09-09T08:10:46.736-04:00Or maybe nothing is happening, and this just the u...Or maybe nothing is happening, and this just the usual NATO BS about "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming!"<br /><br />Russia's friends have one advantage our friends don't have. Russia keeps its promises.<br /><br />PS. Putting a boomer in the Mediterranean is pointless. Debka is notorious for fraudulent posts.sykes.1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10954672321945289871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-33969064863791710192015-09-08T23:26:26.204-04:002015-09-08T23:26:26.204-04:00There are enough ways to detect a sub without nece...There are enough ways to detect a sub without necessarily tipping the "exact" system that established contact. Governments often leak this sort of info to let the adversary know that we're aware of their activities, and potentially deter their plans. Stealth is the number one weapon of any submarine; if Moscow believed we were actively tracking their newest boomer (and maybe have a Virginia-class attack boat in trail), they would probably reconsider their plans.<br /><br />Still, I think the odds that Russia is sending a boomer to the Med are low. However, there is an interesting battle going on with the U.S. trying to restrict airspace that Moscow needs to reinforce its presence in Syria. We convinced Bulgaria to colse their airspace today and we're leaning on the Greeks as well. That won't totally shut off the air routes, but it will make it more dificult. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-33177363728705973272015-09-08T20:51:23.956-04:002015-09-08T20:51:23.956-04:00Good Nate, I can neither agree with Debka (yes, th...Good Nate, I can neither agree with Debka (yes, their historical credibility problem) nor that your, "If the boomer is moving to the Med, I'd expect some leaks from the MoD (to selected journalists) about increases in ASW activity in the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic, or at a minimum, some report about a suddenly-announced exercise involving those assets in the area listed." <br /><br />Were the Russian SSBN movement true, the UK, US, or Scandanavian press could not verify such movement unless tipped by Russia or the MoD, etc. How else could a stealthy action be verified? Russia could certainly have a notoriety motive, but why would the MoD, Sweden, Norway, etc. risk tipping their intelligence capabilities for a useless, public headline promoting Putin's boldness?<br /><br />I am seriously asking for the benefit of your experienced input, here. I have neither my own clue nor set opinion. Simply asking you...<br /><br />Thank you in advance for any suggestion here. The U.S. once had one of our SSBNs surface for political effect off the Africam coast decades ago. Debka is foolish to claim Russia sent any SSBN, unless surfacing off Syria is exactly what is feared.<br /><br />Fear hardly reminds me of Israel in any of their state apparatus. You?Vigilishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05051789616490005367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-14389593594842519672015-09-08T18:14:26.337-04:002015-09-08T18:14:26.337-04:00Vigilis--I saw the Debka item and deliberately exc...Vigilis--I saw the Debka item and deliberately excluded it, given the site's credibility problems. If the Russians are sending their newest boomer to the Med--and specifically to Syria--I'd look for some chatter in the British press, specifically the Telegraph and perhaps the BBC. A portion of the UK media is not in bed with Obama and many of their defense reporters are far more knowledgeable than their American counterparts. <br /><br />If the boomer is moving to the Med, I'd expect some leaks from the MoD (to selected journalists) about increases in ASW activity in the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic, or at a minimum, some report about a suddenly-announced exercise involving those assets in the area listed. <br /><br />IMO, Putin is neither insane nor completely desperate. He has read his adversary (Obama) correctly and understands he has complete freedom of action as long as the current POTUS is in office. When the Soviets hinted about sending airborne forces to the Middle East at the end of the Yom Kippur War, Nixon put SAC on worldwide alert and began moving assets. The Kremlin backed down. Five decades later, the Russians may be moving a first-strike asset to THE global hotspot and Obama can't be bothered. <br /><br />There are plenty of people in western defense circles who are quite alarmed at the lack of U.S. leadership. If the SSBN story is true, expect leaks in the next 48 hours, beginning in Europe and spreading to the U.S. (Washington Times, Free Beacon, Washington Examiner, perhaps Aviation Week). MSM will cover it only if they have to. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-5063364983500375672015-09-08T17:10:57.169-04:002015-09-08T17:10:57.169-04:00About Syrian sea routes... Have you seen yesterday...About Syrian sea routes... Have you seen yesterday's news yet? "Russian submarine with 20 ICBMs and 200 nuclear warheads is sailing to Syria" <br /><br />http://debka.com/article/24873/Russian-submarine-with-20-ICBMs-and-200-nuclear-warheads-is-sailing-to-Syria<br /><br />Who with more credibility than Debka, would know for certain and be at liberty to verify? Exactly; no one! Putin is quite a mad hatter, is he also that insane or desperate?Vigilishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05051789616490005367noreply@blogger.com