Assessment of NATO Forces in the Baltic States: Credible Deterrent or Paper Tiger?

[Peter1469]

Assessment of NATO Forces in the Baltic States: Credible Deterrent or Paper Tiger?

Or rather both.

Summary: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces deployed to the Baltic States are severely unprepared to fight a conventional war with Russia. Their presence in the Baltic States is merely a token gesture of support. The gesture is not only a paper tiger, but exposes the deployed forces to the possible risk of annihilation by Russia. Despite this, there are valid arguments to suggest that a paper tiger is enough to deter hybrid warfare.

In conclusion, it can be clearly seen that the NATO forces sent to the Baltic States are insufficiently equipped to fight a conventional war and threaten the Russian Federation with attack. Nor is the force much of a conventional deterrence, with its position being far away from sufficient reinforcement from the western countries. In this aspect the force is a paper tiger, although in the face of hybrid warfare, the detachments sent are sufficient for the task at hand. The NATO alliance has successfully acknowledged the latest threat and has acted accordingly.

That is the point. The force is there to give Russia pause but not large enough to cause Russia to take action.

[MisterVeritis]

Assessment of NATO Forces in the Baltic States: Credible Deterrent or Paper Tiger?
Or rather both.
That is the point. The force is there to give Russia pause but not large enough to cause Russia to take action.

We are back to the nuclear trip-wire in Europe.

[Peter1469]

We are back to the nuclear trip-wire in Europe.

Maybe. Russia can't afford a general war. They could never hold any land they took.

[DGUtley]

How did we get to this point....

[MisterVeritis]

How did we get to this point....

It doesn't matter. The Europeans need to step up. Their lands are theirs to defend. Besides, the islamonazis will defeat Europe long before the Russians invade.

[Peter1469]

How did we get to this point....

NATO has more troops in the Baltic now than in the past.

[Ethereal]

The biggest reason why Russia would even be contemplating war of any kind in Europe is because of NATO's presence there. Russia has always desired integration with the west, but on fair and equal terms and at a gradual pace. But western oligarchs will not permit entrance into the west unless Russia surrenders its crown jewels of national identity and sovereignty, which is a totally outrageous demand to place on a people, let alone a people as old and as proud as Russians. They are very willing to engage the west in friendship, but not at the cost of their heritage and their independence.

[Ethereal]

How did we get to this point....

The US broke their promise to the Russians.

The end of the cold war was accompanied by a promise that NATO would not expand one inch further east.

NATO did it anyway and reignited the cold war.

[Peter1469]

The biggest reason why Russia would even be contemplating war of any kind in Europe is because of NATO's presence there. Russia has always desired integration with the west, but on fair and equal terms and at a gradual pace. But western oligarchs will not permit entrance into the west unless Russia surrenders its crown jewels of national identity and sovereignty, which is a totally outrageous demand to place on a people, let alone a people as old and as proud as Russians. They are very willing to engage the west in friendship, but not at the cost of their heritage and their independence.

Additionally Russia refuses to get mixed up with the western banking system.