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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Former Nato chief warns of nuclear war with Russia if there is no Baltic defence boost
2016-05-19
[IBT] One of Nato's most senior retired generals has warned that the West risks a nuclear war with Russia within a year if it does not boost its defences in the Baltic states amid increasing tension between Moscow and the alliance.

General Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Nato's deputy supreme allied commander in Europe until 2014, said that the West should act to avert a "potential catastrophe" should Moscow target Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

He told the BBC Radio 4 programme Today on Wednesday (18 May): "The chilling fact is that because Russia hardwires nuclear thinking and capability to every aspect of their defence capability, this would be nuclear war.

"We need to judge President [Vladimir] Putin by his deeds not his words," he added. "He has invaded Georgia, he has invaded the Crimea, he has invaded Ukraine. He has used force and got away with it."
Posted by:Besoeker

#8  "Some might ask:
Where was NATO when..."

They were breathing. Very provocatively.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2016-05-19 21:48  

#7  Obama was, and still is, in "Reset" mode.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2016-05-19 16:48  

#6  Bingo, #5 Skid!
Posted by: Barbara   2016-05-19 15:59  

#5  Some might ask:
Where was NATO when "He has invaded Georgia, he has invaded the Crimea, he has invaded Ukraine. He has used force and got away with it."
Posted by: Skidmark   2016-05-19 15:26  

#4  Putin thinks that if there are Russians living in a country like Latvia it's an excuse for him to extend Russia's borders. I could understand the Crimea because that's been Russian for centuries. I could understand Ukraine because Russians and Ukrainians are helplessly intertwined. Latvia not so much. Putin needs know where the limits are and a NATO tank division or thirty might be required.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305   2016-05-19 12:39  

#3  "He has invaded Georgia, he has invaded the Crimea, he has invaded Ukraine

Savage scorched earth nuclear conflicts, all of them. The thing missing from these fevered pieces is why exactly would the Rooshuns invade the Baltics. Crimea, I understand. Estonia, not so much.
Posted by: SteveS   2016-05-19 11:55  

#2  So, is Riga = London = Paris = New York?
Posted by: Steve White   2016-05-19 10:37  

#1  To me it's seems to be the other way around---but what do I know compared to Sir Richard?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2016-05-19 09:26  

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