Bulletin:Thousands of US Troops May Be Deployed to Eastern Europe Shortly

Spending the weekend at Camp David,Maryland,US President Joseph R. Biden met with his national security team,some of them in person and others virtually,including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley,US Army.The President is considering sending up to 5,000 US troops to Eastern Europe shortly,in a move to bolster NATO deterrence of a Russian invasion of Ukraine,The New York Times reported.This would mark a change from the previous wait and see approach adopted by the administration. Some of the troops would come from the US,while others would be deployed from elsewhere in Europe.More warships and aircraft may also be moved into a deterrent posture.The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is already in the European theatre (the Mediterranean Sea) and is scheduled to begin Exercise Neptune Strike 22 tomorrow (see this blog's previous post). In related news,the Department of State is ordering families of US Embassy in Ukraine staff to return to the United States,while non-essential Embassy staff are being given the option to return home,in light of the possibility of a Russian invasion.As well,the State Department is strongly advising US citizens not to travel to Ukraine because of the war threat.

Russia Preparing for Possible Quick Strike on Ukraine

International concern is mounting about Russia's intentions for its persistent massing of troops and military equipment along the Ukrainian borders while criticising Ukrainian behaviour.According to Ukrainian military intelligence,there are now about 100,000 Russian troops assembled along Ukrainian territory.The Intelligence Community feels they are configured for a potential multi-pronged attack on Ukraine.A blitzkrieg,which is the German for "lightning war,"could begin with Russian artillery barrages and airstrikes,then be followed up by air assault,amphibious and infantry incursions.A blitzkrieg is a battle of annihilation by surprise attack including armoured or motorised infantry formations integrated with close air support.It dislocates and disorients the enemy with its constantly evolving fronts.* On 22 November 2021,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley,US Army,spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart,Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhny.CNN reported that the US may send military advisors to Ukraine,along with lethal aid such as Javelin anti-tank and anti-armour missiles;mortars;and Raytheon Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.It is even possible that the US will send Ukraine Mi-17 Russian-built helicopters that the Pentagon had originally purchased for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.* Russia has robustly denied it is planning an invasion of Ukraine.Still,the US is briefing NATO Allies and Partners about Russia's force posture,which is sometimes shifting by night to evade detection,with much alarm and specificity,Ukrainian sources say.Indeed,the Ukrainian Defence Ministry notes that Russia is increasing the combat readiness of Russian-backed occupation forces in the tempoarily occupied territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Eastern Ukraine.And Russia has been running large-scale command and staff exercises,including calling in reserves.The Russian Spetznaz special forces,GRU military intelligence and SVR foreign intelligence operatives have been activated along Ukraine's borders,US officials observed. An attack could come in late January or early February,Ukrainian military intelligence assesses.The US would likely not choose to defend Ukraine from Russia in a direct way,since Ukraine is not a NATO Ally.It is not believed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could prevail;but they could do some damage to the invaders.* Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX)

Afghan War:NATO Airport Mission Gets Name

The current operation under US Forces Afghanistan-Forward,which is commanded by Rear Admiral Peter Vasely,US Navy,has been named Operation Allies Refuge.Its status has also been elevated to that of a Non-combatant Rescue Operation,or NEO.Indeed,it is considered the second largest NEO ever conducted,according to General Mark Milley,US Army,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.US President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been getting special intelligence briefings on the operation daily form Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and General Milley. During an 18 August 2021 breifing for journalists at the Pentagon,SecDef Austin said: This is a war I fought in and led.We have a moral obligation to help those who helped us.* General Milley added that: Currently,the security situation at the airport is stable.The Taliban are facilitating access to the airport by passport-carrying US citizens.We in uniform have a deep commitment.* General Milley went on to note that among the forces at the airport are a battalion from the Minnesota National Guard;two US Marine Corps battalions;an 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters and infantry personnel-all of which amount to 20 US manoeuvring companies on the ground at the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA)in Kabul.As well,a number of fighter aircraft,such as F/A-18 Super Hornets;F-16 Fighting Falcons;AV-8 Harriers;AC-130 gunships;and MQ-9 intelligence and attack UAVs,are flying armed overwatch missions over the airport to protect the US and NATO forces at the airport.There are also B-52H Stratofortress bombers available in Qatar for missions.On the ground,British Army rifle companies and Special Operations Forces are working with the US forces.Also involved are troops from Turkey,France and Hungary.There are 20 sorties by US Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport jets every 24 hours,and a variety of commercial and charter flights are active.General Milley stressed that unexpected challenges can be and are expected.* In the past 24 hours (19-20 August),the operation has evacuated 3,000 individuals,350 of them American.* At the briefing the day before,General Austin revealed to the reporters that: I don't have the capability to go into Kabul.* Despite that,ccording to General Milley: Right now,there's a steady flow of people.* It is clear to this blog,however,that conditions around the HKIA perimeter remain chaotic,dangerous,and tend to hinder access-especially by Afghans.Taliban militants have committed violent acts against some of the refugees.Dead bodies are sometimes seen on the ground.There is a real risk of being trampled at the gates,and without enough troops to mount rescue operations into Kabul itself,nor the authorisation to engage in the combat operations that would no doubt ensue,there seems little chance to smooth the passageway into HKIA without Taliban acquiescence.* Fortunately,President Biden indicated to ABC News that he is open to extending the operation beyond the original 31 August deadline.*