SUNDAY PDB – One security expert says: Let Ukraine fly its jets from ‘sanctuary bases’ on NATO territory. For too long, Russia has benefited from Western fears of escalation. It’s time to turn the tables.
Russia has been leveraging Western fears of escalation by carving out sanctuary space in its sovereign territory to launch offensive strikes into Ukraine. Its military assets remain partly shielded while Ukraine’s remain exposed.
Russia has used sovereignty as a shield, even as it violates the sovereignty of its neighbor.
Perhaps now Europe and the U.S. can offset that advantage by creating sanctuary space for Ukrainian forces in NATO countries.
But if NATO nations are willing to donate aircraft to Ukraine and train pilots, why not let those same freshly trained pilots fly sorties from bases on NATO territory — and refuel, rearm and repair their jets there as well?
Giving Ukraine access to these kinds of “sanctuary bases” would meaningfully level the playing field against a foe that is enjoying unfair advantages by getting to launch uncontested attacks from its own lands.
The escalatory risks of such a move are real but manageable. Strict rules of engagement would need to be established. No Ukrainian F-16 launched from an air base in a NATO country could be allowed to attack targets inside Russia.
And these air bases cannot be ones already being used by NATO; new ones will need to be built for Ukraine. Should Ukraine desire to conduct aerial strikes against targets in Russia, they must originate from Ukraine proper.
SOUNDS A BIT DANGEROUS FOR NATO AND US.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:
NATIONAL SECURITY
Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira to face court-martial. The U.S. Air Force said Wednesday that he will be tried at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, but no date has been set.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal watchdog investigates Secret Service handling at Trump rally. The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general said Wednesday it has opened up an investigation into the U.S. Secret Service’s handling of security for former President Donald Trump on the day a gunman tried to assassinate him.
POLITICS
FLASHBACK TO JIMMY CARTER – Joe Biden tests positive for COVID-19 while campaigning in Las Vegas, has ‘mild symptoms,” including “general malaise” from the infection.
Meghan McCain rips Biden’s ‘disgusting’ Bronze Star comments to fellow Democrat. Biden’s remarks were made to Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), an Army veteran who received a Bronze Star, during a recent ‘tense’ call.
THIS, WHILE BIDEN SPENDS BILLIONS ON ILLEGAL ALIENS – VA projects $15B shortfall driven by costs for veterans benefits, prescription drugs and a bigger workforce. It is anticipating a $3 billion budget shortfall through fiscal 2024, and a $12 billion spending gap in 2025.
US POWER OVERSEAS
New York National Guard and Sweden enter military partnership. The New York National Guard has entered a partnership with Sweden’s armed forces that will see the two sides regularly work together. In March Sweden ended two centuries of neutrality by joining NATO amid Russia’s expansionist ambitions.
US and Singapore boost military artificial intelligence (AI) ties, after small nation made earlier agreement with China. Singapore is one of the most vigorous investors in AI.
Islamic State attacks on track to double in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that the Islamic State group is trying “to reconstitute.”
CHINA THREAT
China suspends nuclear talks with the US over Taiwan arms sales. The Chinese announcement comes as U.S. policy on Taiwan hangs in the balance ahead of the November election.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
Russian fighter planes over the Baltic Sea prompt response by 2 newest NATO members. Two fighters flying from Russia’s military hub in Kaliningrad were intercepted over the Baltic Sea this week by allied quick reaction aircraft.
Ukraine defense chief says his nation will find a way no matter who wins the US election. Ukraine will find a way to deal with whatever comes if former President Donald Trump wins a second term, throwing into doubt vital U.S. support for its defense against Russia’s invading forces, the defense minister said Wednesday.
Russia conscripts 150,000 troops as Ukraine says it needs more arms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned he needs more fighter jets and missile defense systems to stop the Kremlin’s renewed battlefront advance.
Russia and Ukraine set to swap 180 prisoners in UAE-backed deal.
ISRAEL’S WAR AGAINST TERROR
Global rights group finds Hamas-led militants committed war crimes during the Oct. 7 terror attack on southern Israel that precipitated the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
What’s holding up a Gaza cease-fire? It’s an iron law of Middle East conflict that the closer you get to a cease-fire, the more last-minute disputes arise.
SPACE THREAT
Space Force chief sees ‘room’ for space capabilities in AUKUS Pillar II. Pillar II of the trilateral Australia/UK/US security arrangement already hopes to boost development of AI, hypersonics and other cutting-edge tech, but today a key American official suggested it should widen its scope further and aim much higher: to space.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Japan’s top general lauds closer South Korea military ties as mutual concerns grow over China, North Korea. America’s two most powerful allies in the Pacific are taking their defense ties to new heights amid increasing security concerns.
Italy carrier strike group joins Australia war games, will visit Philippines. The carrier strike group on its first deployment to the Indo-Pacific region will sail through the South China Sea to the Philippines after participating in war games with U.S. allies in Australia.
How the Swedish Air Force is finding its flow as part of NATO. The Swedish Air Force has 2,700 military personnel and a fighter fleet numbering almost 100 aircraft. Sweden has proposed to increase its defense spending to 2.6% relative to the size of its economy by 2030.
Lebanon files complaint with UN over alleged Israeli GPS jamming. It says the jamming against Hezbollah has endangered civil aviation in the country.
Cyprus plans to build a major naval base to play a larger geopolitical role. The base on the east Mediterranean island nation’s southern coast will be a be to host large ships from European Union countries and other nations to carry out a variety of missions including humanitarian aid deliveries.
US MILITARY
US Air Force culture needs a reboot. Too many of today’s operators think of themselves as passive helpers, not innovative war-winners.
COALITION WARFARE – Navy seeks industry feedback on new maritime strike weapon for ‘coalition.’ It wants a new medium-range maritime strike weapon system that can be fired across warfare domains and used by numerous other countries, with a goal to start production in fiscal year 2027.
Army’s wearable sensors detect early signs of severe heat injuries. Army researchers hope that a new system that combines sensors and data from the training of elite military units in hot weather can be a key tool for avoiding the kind of heat injuries that killed a soldier recently and the hundreds of heat strokes that knock soldiers out of action every year.
Navy clears Black sailors unjustly punished after 1944 deadly blast. It has exonerated 256 Black sailors unjustly punished following a horrific port explosion that killed hundreds of service members and exposed racist double standards among the then-segregated ranks.
END of PDB
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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Nothing like escalating a war and having it spread to NATO countries.