Estonian defmin, defense chief talk with SACEUR about security of Baltic Sea region 2021-01-17 BNS/TBT Staff
TALLINN – Estonia s Defense Minister Juri Luik and Commander of the Defense Forces Martin Herem on Friday talked about strengthening NATO s defense and deterrence posture in the Baltic Sea region with Gen. Tod Walters, commander of the US European Command and NATO s supreme allied commander Europe (SACEUR).
In addition, they talked about the planned large-scale exercise Zapad in Russia, which will be conducted close to NATO s borders in the fall and in the course of which large-scale combat activity against NATO will be rehearsed, spokespeople for the Estonian Ministry of Defense said.
0 >Jüri Luik (second from left) and Maj. Gen. Martin Herem (far left) at an earlier NATO meeting. Source: Ministry of Defense
Outgoing Defense Minister Luik (Isamaa) says that the NATO alliance remains in good shape despite the challenges of the pandemic, following a meeting with Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) commander, General Tod Walters, on Friday.
Luik said via a defense ministry press release that: Despite all the challenges of the past and present year, NATO s defense and deterrence posture and cooperation among the allies has remained strong, which demonstrates the alliance s excellent ability to adapt and react.
Luik, along with Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) commander Maj. Gen. Martin Herem, met with Gen.Tod Walters Friday, discussing the strengthening of NATO s deterrence and defense posture in the Baltic Sea region
На учениях Запад-2021 будут отрабатываться действия против НАТО, уверен еврокомандующий interfax.by - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from interfax.by Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
0 >President Kersti Kaljulaid with EDF commander Maj. Gen. Martin Herem and Minister of Defense Jüri Luik (Isamaa). Source: Ministry of Defense
Minister of Defense Jüri Luik (Isamaa) and commander-in-chief of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) Maj. Gen. Martin Herem presented the National Defense Development Plan 2030 to President Kersti Kaljulaid Wednesday.
Luik said that the plan takes into account ensuring present capabilties is important in effective deterrence and protection, as well as new capabilities, with the costs of both taken into account in the plan.
Luik said via a defense ministry press release that: The National Defense Development Plan is realistic, based on military advice from the EDF commander, and takes into account the threats globally and in the Baltic Sea region, as well as the available resources. Naturally, we always support the functioning of civil society and the Estonian economy.
UN official: Terrorists using pandemic to stoke extremism
by Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press
Posted Jan 12, 2021 8:42 pm EDT
Last Updated Jan 12, 2021 at 8:44 pm EDT
CAMEROON, Cameroon The U.N. counter-terrorism chief warned Tuesday that terrorists are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and appealing to new “racially, ethnically and politically motivated violent extremist groups.”
Vladimir Voronkov spoke at the U.N. Security Council’s 20th anniversary commemoration of the pivotal resolution to fight terrorism adopted after the 9-11 attacks on the United States and six days after a violent assault on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
He said that throughout the past two decades, “the threat of terrorism has persisted, evolved and spread.”