quote:

Originally posted by isarel:
the USA 100% at the end you can only relie on yourself when things get rough.

Damn,there is none! Look at the sitrep people.
They lie and lie!No ones against us=politics.

S’Pore Enhances Maritime Security Cooperation with US

(Source: Ministry of Defence Singapore; issued June 23, 2008)

Singapore and the United States are nations bound together by a realisation of global dependence on the seas and a vital need for security on those seas, said United States Navy's (USN) Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific, Rear-Admiral Nora Tyson.

"Efforts to enhance maritime security serve both our national interests, at the same time, they serve the global good," she said, during the opening ceremony of the annual Singapore-US Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise at Changi Naval Base.

"Our strategy seeks to enhance security of the maritime domain, respond to the full spectrum of crises and ensure we are prepared for any uncertainty in the future."

The 14th exercise in the annual CARAT series, Ex CARAT 2008 will focus on conventional maritime competencies in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, maritime air operations, and maritime security operations.

Held from 23 Jun to 3 Jul, a key highlight during the exercise will be the MISTRAL missile-firing by the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Landing Ship Tank RSS Endeavour against air drone targets.

Land, sea and air elements from the two armed forces, totalling 1,400 personnel, 14 ships, five fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and one submarine, will be deployed for the exercise.

Such exercises allow both navies to work in concert with each other, leveraging on valuable combined experience to face common challenges. By operating together in an operational environment, mutual awareness, respect and understanding can also be developed.

RSN Fleet Commander, Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng, who co-officiated at the opening ceremony, hailed CARAT as one of the most integrated bilateral exercises between Singapore and the United States, with people and assets from the USN, the US Coast Guard, the US Marine Corps, the RSN, the Republic of Singapore Air Force, the Singapore Army (Guards) and the Police Coast Guards, featuring prominently.

"Through CARAT, our two navies have achieved a high level of inter-operability, which puts us in good stead when we have to operate alongside each other," said RADM Ng.

"Our ability to work very well together in the Northern Arabian Gulf to support the international reconstruction efforts of Iraq is due in no small part to the years of close cooperation in activities and exercises such as CARAT."

The SAF and the US Armed Forces have been participating in Ex CARAT since 1995. Back then, only three ships from each navy and minimal air assets were deployed in simple surface serials.

It has since continued to expand in scope, scale and complexity to include maritime security and other non-conventional serials, in keeping with the constantly evolving security climate.

-ends-

What is the need for a missile shield in eastern Europe? If something ever happened with Russia, it would seem provocative.

Best allies:

1. ROK
2. UK
3. Japan
4. Poland
5. Phillipines
6. Thailand

Everyone else who should be our ally we said 'f off.' I'd like to see cooperation with eastern Europe but not if it only pisses off Russia for no good reason. Western Europe, especially Germany, has stabbed us in the back to many times. Even if we are allies I don't have to like it. Why are we in Germany?

Sgt S. > What happenned to The "Aussie's"?

quote:

Originally posted by emu2:
Sgt S. > What happenned to The "Aussie's"?

I think you meant to direct that question to Thrust...they're still on my list.

US, Poland, Reach Tentative Deal on Missile Defense

(Source: Voice of America news; issued July 2, 2008)

STATE DEPARTMENT --- U.S. officials say the United States and Poland have reached a tentative agreement under which part of a U.S. missile defense system will be based on Polish soil. The deal to station interceptor missiles in Poland still requires top-level Polish government approval.

A senior Bush administration official says the two sides have finalized the text of a draft accord, under which Poland will join the Czech Republic in hosting a regional U.S. defense system aimed against an anti****ted long-range missile threat from Iran.

No terms of the tentative deal were disclosed though Poland had been seeking, in return for accepting the U.S. system, a multi-billion dollar upgrade of its air defense capabilities.

The senior official said the deal was hammered out late Tuesday after two days of closed door Washington meetings this week between State Department officials and officials of the Polish defense and foreign ministries.

The U.S. plan calls for the stationing of ten interceptor missiles in Poland and an associated advanced radar system in the Czech Republic. A tentative agreement with the Prague government was reached several weeks ago.

The planned system has been strongly opposed by Moscow, which contends, despite U.S. denials, that the anti-missile system would undercut its strategic nuclear deterrent.

In a talk with reporters Wednesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Dan Fried said the United States has tried to address Poland's concerns about the Russian position and other key issues:

"The Poles have urged us to reach out to Russia with a serious offer on missile defense, and as you know, we have done so," he said. "The Poles, and the Czechs as well, have urged us to work more with NATO, and if possible get NATO's support for missile defense. We've done so successfully, at the NATO summit last April. And the Poles have also asked us to address Polish modernization. And as you know we have agreed to that as well."

Fried, a key parti****nt in the missile dialogue, hailed Poland as a magnificent ally of the United States, noting its role in the U.S.-led military coalitions in both Iraq and in Afghanistan, where Poland has recently increased its troop and aircraft contribution.

The senior official who spoke here said the next step in the process is up to the Polish leadership, and did not offer a timeframe for when the agreement would get final approval.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to discuss the missile defense issue, among others, on a European trip next week.

-ends-

Wat happens if/when a country like Turkey slides towards Islamic fundamentalism? Iran's Pres. was just there, he got the royal treatment. Is it possible, in the future, that there could be a war between civilizations? There was an interesting article in AsiaTimes Online outlining how it could happen. Europe is being overrun by moslems, wat happens when they get angry, don't get wat they want? They riot. I feel the West is in decline, and there are a lot of reasons. Europe needs Russian oil, yes, Germany, Spain, Italy have suffered casualties in A-stan, but they have not done much fighting. The T-ban/AQ, even Russia knows NATO is splintering. All this does not bode well for NATO, the West, and the US. Could there be a WWIII, and could it be a war between civilizations? P-stan has nukes, Iran will be next, and NATO lacks the will to really stand up. AsiaTimes Online, 8/25/08

ok top 5:
U.K.
colombia
Australia
South korea
Germany

I haven't heard anybody mention the Kingdom of Palau.

I know they don't have an Army...but they are part of the Coalition

In my opinion here are our allies.

100% Israel, UK, and Australia

95% Saudi Arabi, Canada, Ireland (etc)

way down on the list is the 0% Venezuela, North Korea, Iran probably isnt far off not really sure about Veit Nam, Russia, China

I noticed that Kuwait isn't getting any ups for being a U.S. ally. Yes they did want Doha back but we have been kind of squatting since we saved them from invasion during desert storm. While I was out their in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq their were alot of bill boards thanking U.S. I'm not sure their still up last time I went I flew everywhere and didn't drive.

As much of South America becomes seemingly more and more under the influence of China, Russia and even Iran, the U.S. needs to maintain a "counterbalance" in the region from a Geopolitical standpoint. Defense sales such as this will assist us in maintaining and strengthening our relationships within the region.


US to Sell Chile $275M Army Equipment Package

(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; dated June 12, web-posted June 15, 2009)

WASHINGTON --- On June 12, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Chile of radars, howitzers, vehicles, weapons, ammunition and related support for an estimated cost of $275 million.

The Government of Chile has requested a possible sale of 2 AN/TPQ-37(V)3 FIREFINDER Radars, 2 M1165A1 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), 12 M109A5 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, 12 M109A3 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, 18 M113A2 Armored Personnel Carriers; 6 M577A2 Command Post Carriers, 24 M548A1 Tracked Logistics Vehicles, 12 M2 .50 cal Machine Guns, 1968 M107 155mm Projectiles, and 896 M549 155mm Projectiles. Also included: 2 AN/TMQ-41 Meteorological Measuring Sets (MMS), 2 M1152 HMMWVs, 28 Camouflage Systems, 4 5-ton trucks, 12 MK19 40mm Grenade Launchers, ammunition, fuses, artillery trainers, 2 mechanical and ordnance tool kits, generators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $275 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in South America.
Chile intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces.

The Chileans intend to establish a new battalion to integrate this equipment into their armed forces. This will contribute to the Chilean military’s goal to update its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between Chile, the U.S., and other allies.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors involved in this program are:
-- BAE Systems in York, Pennsylvania,
-- L3 Communications in Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
-- Smiths Detection, Inc. in Edgewood, Maryland, and
-- Thales Raytheon Systems Company, LLC in Fullerton, California.

There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require 10 U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Chile for a period of 4 weeks for equipment checkout and training.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

-ends-

Sgt_Schlappy -
Two part question:
What is your top three or four for each continent or region (ie. South America, Central America, North Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa,Western Europe, Eastern Europe, SE. Asia, Middle East, etc.).
What drives the choice for US to be good allies - is it strategic position (ie. Panama), trading partner (ie. Mexico), access to natural resources (Kuwait), capital provider (Saudi Arabia) or any other category that I can't think of.

Originally posted by GeopoliCurious:
Sgt_Schlappy -
Two part question:

quote:

What is your top three or four for each continent or region (ie. South America, Central America, North Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa,Western Europe, Eastern Europe, SE. Asia, Middle East, etc.).

SE, E Asia & Oceania: Japan, Australia, S. Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines
C & S Asia: Afghanistan, ???
Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, ???
S. America: Columbia, Chile, ???
C & N America: Canada, Mexico, Panama
Europe: UK, Poland, Greece, Italy, most of the former east block nations
Middle East: Israel, Iraq, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia

quote:

What drives the choice for US to be good allies - is it strategic position (ie. Panama), trading partner (ie. Mexico), access to natural resources (Kuwait), capital provider (Saudi Arabia) or any other category that I can't think of.

Many of the things you mention above are factored in obviously, but primarily (for me) it's who would be perceived to be with us in the event of a major military conflict in the region.

You can always count on Filipinos. But the problem is that a lot of them do not want to take the risk of commenting on or criticizing the Communist Party of the Philippines for fear of violent retaliation. These decent non-violent Filipinos I am referring to are preoccupied raising up their children, attending to their needs, etc. These law-abiding Filipinos, comprising of the almost full majority of voters, were the ones who placed bourgoisie congressmen and senators in the government. They have other things to attend to like Church and the like.

We owe it all to America. Our Filipino migrant workers and plantation workers in Hawaii would not be able to own palatial houses and drive Mercedes Benzes. Plenty of us ended up as masters or employers of natural born citizens of USA. You treated us fairly. You gave us our due. You did not unjustly enrich yourselves while you employ us or trade with us. When you examine your trade deficits with Filipinos, you will realize how much you have been spoiling us Filipinos. The Navy boats we inherited from you helped us a lot including the helicopters, the airplanes. You have made a lot of Filipinos multi-millionaires. We are indebted to you. Only the saboteur Chairman of the Communist of the Philippines-NEw People's Army is the only one who despises you inspite of his satiety for English and American novels and poetry, talking about cultural exchanges.
Unless, a closet communist President or Vice-president is elected, America can always turn to Philippine leaders.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kipfer,

1. me
2. myself.
3. I

Airmen Tackle Cope India

October 14, 2009
Air Force Print News|by Capt. Genieve David

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - Members of the U.S. and Indian air forces will train together during exercise Cope India through 24 at Air Force Station Agra in Uttar Predesh, India.

This year's Cope India will be an airlift exercise that focuses on the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission.

More than 150 American Airmen, along with four C-130 Hercules aircraft, one C-17 Globemaster III, will join Indian air force Airmen and one IL-76 Gajraj, four AN-32 Sutlejes, two MI-17 Prataps, and one Chetak Alouette III for the exercise.

"The U.S. Air Force looks forward to this opportunity to work with the Indian air force," said Raymond Bundschuh, the 13th Air Force lead planner for the exercise. "Exercises like Cope India strengthen solid military-to-military relationships with our air forces in the region as we train together."

Cope India participants will exchange airlift, airland and airdrop delivery techniques, participate in aeromedical and disaster management exercises, conduct cooperative flight operations, to include aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation, tactical airdrop, air-land missions, and conduct subject-matter-expert exchanges in the operations, maintenance and rigging disciplines.

This exercise continues to strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Indian air forces, and will be the fourth installment of Cope India.

Extra UK Troops for Afghanistan

(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Oct. 14, 2009)


The number of British troops deployed to Afghanistan will now stand at 9,000, increasing to 9,500 only subject to certain conditions, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced today, Wednesday 14 October 2009.

UK forces in Afghanistan currently stand at around 9,000, which includes 700 troops deployed until the end of 2009 to cover the period of the Afghan presidential election.

The enduring deployment of 9,000 troops announced by Mr Brown in the House of Commons today means that extra units will be deploying to Afghanistan in the coming weeks with 11 Light Brigade. These units will be announced to Parliament by Written Ministerial Statement tomorrow.

In the Prime Minister's statement today he said that the number of British troops in Afghanistan will increase to 9,500 subject to the following conditions:

-- That a way forward is agreed across the international coalition on fairer burden-sharing;
--That the Afghan National Army and Afghan Government provide sufficient numbers and quality of Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand, in order that they can operate alongside British forces there and be 'partnered' by them, and
--That every British soldier and unit deployed to Afghanistan is fully equipped for the operations they are asked to undertake.

Click here to read the Prime Minister's statement in full.

In a statement on the Prime Minister's announcement Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

"Our brave forces are making a vital contribution to the national security of this country and I praise them for all they are doing in Afghanistan.

"This force level increase, based on the specific advice of the military chiefs, will help consolidate the considerable progress already made improving security in central Helmand.

"The chiefs and I will continue to ensure that all of our Service personnel are fully equipped for the tasks we ask them to undertake.

"I have made sure that delivering success in Afghanistan and supporting our forces is the main effort of all of us in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. I am determined that we continue to deliver on this."

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said:

"I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of an increase to our force level for the mission in Afghanistan, subject to the conditions he has set out. This accords with the needs of our operational commanders, as set out to me and agreed by the Chiefs of Staff, and with the military advice I have as a consequence given to the Government.

"Our objective, as part of the 42-nation coalition in Afghanistan, is to reduce the terrorist threat to the United Kingdom. We do this by assisting the Afghans to spread enduring governance to parts of their country that have in the past, and would in the future if abandoned, harbour and provide support to terrorist groups.

"The force uplift announced today will help us to strengthen and deepen security in those areas where we are supporting the development of that governance. At the same time, it will enable us to partner effectively with an increasing number of Afghan National Army units, thus enabling them to take responsibility for their own security at a faster rate.

"We will also continue to provide more and better equipment to our forces as fast as it can be developed and produced. This is an ongoing process, throughout which our commanders in the field will continue to shape their individual operations to ensure that their people are appropriately equipped for the specific tasks being undertaken.

"The increase in force level will provide 11 Light Brigade with the resources they need to sustain and build upon the magnificent, hard-won achievements of 19 Light Brigade over the summer - achievements of which the entire nation can and should be proud."

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, said:

"This is the right decision and it reflects the military advice the Prime Minister has received since the summer. We asked for 9,500 and that is what we have got. Having sufficient troops on the ground is the key to this campaign; the additional numbers will enable 11 Brigade to maintain momentum in Helmand, building on the outstanding work of 19 Light Brigade this summer, and will allow us to integrate more closely with the Afghan National Army and improve their capability - essential steps on the road to success.

"I'm confident that the Prime Minister's conditions can be met and we will now get on with the military planning to ensure that soldiers in Afghanistan have the appropriate equipment for the tasks we ask them to undertake.

"I'm also certain that our allies will sustain their commitment to a mission that is as crucial to their security as it is to the people of Afghanistan. We cannot afford to fail and increasing the UK's commitment is the right thing to do."

-ends-

Obama in Japan: Public Solidarity Masks Tension

They stood in a smiling pose, two leaders locked in another international grip 'n' grin, pantomiming the deep ties between their countries. Later, at a press conference, it was more of the same, as if they were two new chums who had just finished a round of golf.


"We have come to call each other Barack and Yukio," said Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. "I've grown quite accustomed to calling each other by our names." A moment later, President Barack Obama returned the sentiment. "Both Yukio and I were elected on the promise of change," he said. "But there should be no doubt, as we move our nations in a new direction, our alliance will endure."
(See pictures of Obama visiting Asia.)

That is the positive face of the Obama era of diplomacy; it is the story that both leaders and their respective diplomatic corps want to broadcast. Japan and the United States stand together, connected by history and, as Obama announced, "bound" by the Pacific Ocean. Fact sheets were distributed to reporters as further evidence, showing agreements on climate change, on nuclear nonproliferation, on clean energy technologies.

But the clenched hands tell only part of the story, beyond which new tensions add pressure to the relationship between the world's two largest national economies. Hatoyama's "change" campaign, for example, which shifted party control in Japan for the first time in a half-century, was marked in part by a more aggressive posture toward the United States. As he appealed for votes, Hatoyama spoke of seeking a more equal relationship" with America, a phrase that implied a continuation of the postwar subjugation of Japan.

Since taking office, Hatoyama has forced two small but notable concessions from the United States. At Hatoyama's direction, Japan will end its refueling program for U.S. warships in the Indian Ocean that support the military effort in Afghanistan, choosing instead to donate $5 billion to humanitarian and training support in the war-torn country. At the same time, Hatoyama has forced the Obama administration to reopen talks about the U.S. military presence on the Japanese island of Okinawa, just weeks after Defense Secretary Robert Gates came to Japan to announce that the issue was closed, and some marines would stay. "It is time to move on," Gates said.
(Read "Obama in Southeast Asia: Mending Fences in a Key Region")

In their press conference there was some hint of the discord, especially as it related to the basing of U.S. marines on Okinawa. Obama said the continuing discussions over U.S. bases in Japan would "focus on the implementation of the agreement" that was already struck. Hatoyama, by contrast, spoke of the possibility of considering relocation of U.S. forces "outside Okinawa and outside of the country."

In a way, this tension between the public celebration of friendship and the quiet struggle over intractable issues is a microcosm for Obama's first year on the world stage. On Saturday night, Obama landed in Singapore, the 18th nation he has visited in just 10 months, far more than any of his predecessors. At almost every stop, he has espoused a new vision for world relations, one of greater communication, collaboration and cooperation, even among historic foes. "As I have said, in an interconnected world, power does not need to be a zero-sum game, and nations need not fear the success of another," Obama said Saturday morning, in a speech at Tokyo's Suntory Hall, a modern concert hall.

This message has been received warmly by both political leaders and the nations they represent. According to a poll this summer of public opinion in 21 major countries by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, a median of 71% of the population said they have a lot of confidence in Obama to do the right thing in world affairs. Just a year earlier, President George W. Bush had scored just 17% in the same measure. In some parts of Asia, Obama's popularity is particularly high, with 85% of the Japanese public and 81% of the South Korean public expressing confidence in the new American president.

But the popular and rhetorical success has not yet been matched by resolution of the United States' foreign policy challenges, not only in Pakistan, Afghanistan and North Korea, but also among allies. Several Asian nations, most particularly South Korea, have waited anxiously for word that Obama intends to prioritize finalizing a new free trade agreement, something the White House has begun to signal this week. China, meanwhile, has expressed growing concern about the U.S. trade policy and the spiraling U.S. national debt, which endangers the value of China's vast investment in U.S. currency.

In his Tokyo speech Saturday, Obama addressed both concerns, but he did not lay out specific benchmarks for achieving them. "None of this will come easy," Obama said of his foreign policy goals in the region, "nor without setback or struggle." In the meantime, he seemed to be suggesting, it was important to make a public show of unity and a promise of greater engagement to come. Perhaps after that, he can begin to find solutions to the more challenging problems. As Obama concluded his speech, his rhetoric soared even higher. "At this moment of renewal," he said, "in this land of miracles, history tells us it is possible." The audience of dignitaries and diplomats offered their applause.



Read more:
http://www.time.com/time/world...8599,1939527,00.html