NATO Chief: Long-Planned Nuclear Exercises To Go Ahead

Facts

• Despite rising tensions over the war in Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Tuesday that the alliance would push ahead with long-planned nuclear exercises next week.
• Stoltenberg said it would send the wrong signal to Moscow to cancel the annual nuclear deterrent exercises, adding, “NATO’s firm, predictable behavior, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation.”
• The exercises, dubbed "Steadfast Noon," typically run for about a week, and this year's operation was reportedly planned before the Ukraine war began in February. The decision to proceed with the drills comes despite warnings from Russian Pres. Putin that he would use nuclear weapons to defend his territory.
• The drills will involve 14 of NATO's 30 member countries, and most will be held more than 625 miles away from Russia. They'll include fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads but won't use live bombs.
• NATO doesn't possess nuclear weapons; all weapons linked to the alliance remain under the control of three member states — the US, the UK, and France. NATO's secretive Nuclear Planning Group is scheduled to meet Thursday at the Defense Minister's meeting.
• Ahead of Thursday's meeting, the US Permanent Representative to the military alliance, Julianne Smith, said America wouldn't accept any nuclear threats from Russia, and there would be unprecedented consequences if used.

Sources: VOA, Al Jazeera, Associated Press, Washington Post, and Euro.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Foreign Policy. Putin is failing in Ukraine, and it’s NATO’s responsibility to remain unified and flex its muscles — whether by holding nuclear exercises, ramping up economic sanctions, or increasing its defense of the Baltic Sea. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was a brazen violation of international law, and Kyiv deserves whatever protection NATO can provide.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by WSWS. By encouraging Ukraine to go on the offensive, NATO and the US are escalating the war. Going through with these nuclear exercises only takes that escalation one step further. If the West really wants this war to end, it should be working toward a ceasefire or negotiated settlement. Its deliberate decision not to take this route, however, suggests its true aims are to weaken Russia and hurt its geostrategic interests, not save Ukraine.

Predictions