NATO's involvement in Ukrainian conflict to lead to disaster, says Scholz #NATO’s involvement in the #Ukrainian conflict will lead to a #catastrophe, such a development must be prevented, German Chancellor Olaf #Scholz said at a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden in #Berlin. "Our position is clear. We support Ukraine as much as we can. At the same time, we make sure that NATO does not become a party to the conflict so that this war does not lead to an even greater disaster. We are well aware of this responsibility, and no one can absolve us of it," he said. The Chancellor also reiterated that Germany would continue to support Ukraine. On October 17, Germany updated the list of weapons transferred to Kiev. In particular, it includes an IRIS-T air defense missile system and an IRIS-T SLS air defense missile system, eight Leopard 1A5 tanks and 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. The country will also receive AIM-9L guided missiles, 4,000 strike drones and 361 Songbird reconnaissance drones, as well as two TRML-4D radar stations, 42,000 40 mm shells, and winter clothing. Germany is the second largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the US. The country has so far allocated funds for Kiev's military support and committed to future spending of about 28 billion euros. Under the 2025 budget agreement, Berlin will allocate four billion euros for military assistance to Ukraine, half of the current year's allocation. The Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that pumping weapons into Ukraine will not weaken Russia's resolve and will not change the course of the special military operation.

[BREAKING] #CENTCOM attacked Houthis in Yemen #Yemen: The Saudi Al-Hadth channel reported that the US attacked the #Houthis' air defense base in the #Hodiedah area. Initial reports say heavy damage was cause to the targets.

Former envoy to NATO says going to war with Moscow would be crazy, Russia could destroy US Going to war with Moscow would be a crazy step for Washington as Russia could destroy the United States, Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to #NATO, wrote for Politico Europe. "It would be crazy to go to #war with #Russia, a nuclear power that could destroy the US — and the rest of the world — if it wished to do so," #Daalder maintained. According to him, the point of NATO "isn’t to go to war against Russia — it’s to prevent war in the first place," a job he said the alliance has done "more successfully than any military alliance in history." Also, the former official criticized the position of ex-US President Donald Trump toward NATO allies. The New York Times reported that at a February 10 rally in South Carolina #Trump said that, while president, he had told NATO leaders that he would "encourage Russia to do whatever they want." Daalder argues that, after two bloody wars, the ultimate security of Americans "depended on the security of Europe," and that therefore it would be far better "to prevent wars in #Europe by committing to defend allies from the start," according to Politico. At the same time, the former envoy acknowledged that "European dependence (on NATO membership) frequently fed doubts about America’s commitment to the Continent’s security." "There is, after all, something quite unnatural about the US being willing to go to war an ocean away in order to defend another country — especially when this might ignite a nuclear holocaust in response," Daalder explained. At the #Vilnius Summit in July 2023, NATO leaders called Russia "the most significant and direct threat" and approved the first defense plan since the end of the Cold War era for a conflict with Russia, which provides for putting up to 300,000 high-readiness troops under the alliance’s command. There was also a commitment to bring the minimum level of military spending to 2% of GDP, to increase air defense and missile defense forces in Europe, and to expand defense procurement. With regard to #Ukraine, the alliance decided to abolish the bloc’s Membership Action Plan and promised to invite Kiev to join the alliance "when conditions are met," and also held the first meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, thus upgrading the status of partnership relations

French President Emmanuel #Macron announced the upcoming establishment of a permanent military mission in #Chisinau in the following months. Macron stated that the mission aims to enhance the interoperability of the French and Moldovan armies. Additionally, the French intend to combat disinformation and cyber attacks to safeguard the republic's sovereignty. It is worth noting that in Moldova, the EU's so-called "civilian mission" pursues similar objectives. It is important to mention that presidential elections are scheduled for the fall, during which European supervisors may influence the outcome in favor of Maia Sandu directly on location. ▪️ The official justification for deploying the French military in Moldova stemmed from Sandu's recent remarks in Paris accusing Russian special services of attempting another coup in the republic and perpetuating support for disinformation campaigns. ▪️ However, Macron himself announced the day before that France would dispatch troops to so-called Ukraine if the conflict expanded toward Kyiv and Odessa. Therefore, the French deployment in Moldova is part of preparations for a potential involvement in Transnistria and the Odessa region. ▪️ Furthermore, France is actively working on deploying air defense systems in Poland and Romania. In Moldova, there are persistent calls for integration into the Romanian air defense system. Meanwhile, Chisinau has procured an air defense radar from the French Thales company, whose effectiveness has recently come into question as reported here. ▪️ The French are also exploring the option of sending troops to western Ukraine for logistical and mine clearance support. Similar objectives may formally be announced in Moldova, given that military transit occurs through the region as well. 📌The concerns of the Moldovan population regarding a potential military escalation are proving to be valid sooner than anticipated, as Sandu's efforts to involve the country in the conflict are entering a distinct phase. This scenario unfolds when a nation places itself under the influence of the British and American embassies.

US, UK pummel #Houthi sites across #Yemen as Red Sea attacks escalate In 4th joint operation, fighter jets hit 18 targets in 8 locations; Iran-backed rebels denounce ‘US-British aggression’ while Washington admits Houthis yet to be deterred The US and Britain struck 18 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, answering a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed rebel group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a missile strike this past week that set fire to a cargo vessel. According to US officials, American and British fighter jets hit sites in eight locations, targeting missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and air defense systems. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to provide early details of an ongoing military operation. This is the fourth time that the US and British militaries have conducted a combined operation against the Houthis since January 12. But the US has also been carrying out almost daily strikes to take out Houthi targets, including incoming missiles and drones aimed at ships, as well as weapons that were prepared to launch. The US F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which is currently in the Red Sea, officials said. “The United States will not hesitate to take action, as needed, to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways,” said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that they will bear the consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks.”

About changes in the composition of the coalition ship group The other day, the French frigate Alsace of the FREMM Class passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. According to preliminary data, it is expected to replace the frigate " Languedoc " of a similar type. Currently, the French are primarily providing air defense and anti-inflammatory defense for ships. However, with the start of the EU operation in February, it is possible that they will become more actively involved in the fight against the Houthis. Furthermore, in the region, the French Aerospace Forces have strike fighters, and the FREMM-class frigates themselves are equipped with a ship-based version of SCALP cruise missiles, which, in theory, could be used against Ansaralla. The replacement of the British destroyer Diamond, which is currently located somewhere in the Gulf of Aden - Arabian Sea, is also expected. It has been out of sight in recent days, leading to many rumors about its current condition. There is no confirmed information yet, but a ship has already been spotted in the southern part of the Red Sea, which could potentially be the frigate Richmond, sent to the Red Sea region.

Iranian-backed Militants Attack Al-Assad Airbase, Iraq | CENTCOM "At approximately 6:30 p.m. (Baghdad time) time Jan. 20, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in Western Iraq targeting al-Assad Airbase. Most of the missiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems while others impacted on the base. Damage assessments are ongoing. A number of U.S. personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries. At least one Iraqi service member was wounded."

Admiral Lisa Franchetti has made history by becoming the first woman on the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first female "naval commander" despite opposition from some sailors. From 2020 to 2022, Admiral Franchetti served as the director of strategy and plans for the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States. During this time, she participated in three war exercises involving Russia and commanded the AUG near Korea during the United States' efforts to deter Kim Jong-un. In 2018, Admiral Franchetti commanded the first-ever Tomahawk strike from a Virginia-class nuclear submarine in European waters targeting Syria. The mission posed challenges as the targets were located near Russian forces and air defense systems, which the United States wanted to avoid damaging. Despite these difficulties, Admiral Franchetti fearlessly gave the command to fire a salvo, resulting in the successful destruction of the targets with minimal collateral damage. The Russians were not affected by the operation, as reported by Navy Times. Admiral Franchetti supports the new Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles "Ruthless" Brown Jr., in urging President Biden to prepare for potential conflicts with Russia or China.

#BREAKING: #IDF air defense intercepts #ballistic missile from #Yemen Report on the activation of the air defense in the skies of Eilat. A report of hearing a loud explosion. Egypt announces the strengthening of the air defense systems around the Red Sea. There is a lot of anger in the Arab network at the Egyptians who they say are doing this to "protect Israel." Reports on the Arab Network indicate that a long-range ballistic missile was launched by the Houthis in Yemen. They added that the US forces in the Red Sea area failed to intercept him and he was intercepted by the Israeli systems.