By John LaForge
Western media reports every alarming statement from Russian President Putin and his commanders regarding their nuclear attack readiness. NATO’s nuclear weapons threats are never demonized in the same terms even though the alliance’s commanders’ readiness to launch their nuclear weapons is just as provocative, destabilizing, and potentially suicidal as Russia’s.
A case in point is NATO’s annual nuclear attack rehearsal known as “Steadfast Noon,” which ran from October 14 to 24 this year and involved thirteen NATO states, more than 60 warplanes from eight NATO air bases, and approximately 2,000 military personnel. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an October 11 announcement, “Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of allied security,” and “Steadfast Noon … sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all allies.”
The complicated role-play of a NATO nuclear attack on Russia was coordinated to run simultaneously with the large-scale British-led maritime maneuver known as “Strike Warrior,” which was spearheaded by a British aircraft carrier “strike group” off the coast of Scotland. Thomas Newdick reported for The War Zone, on October 25, that “The combined drills sent a powerful message to Russia.”
Another powerful message — don’t call it a nuclear threat — was sent to Russia by Col. Daniel Bunch, Chief of Nuclear Operations for SHAPE, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, in Belgium. Col. Bunch said that coordinating the nuclear practice is “literally down to the minute of when we would put a weapon onto a target.” SHAPE said in the same announcement at the conclusion of the exercise that “Steadfast Noon offers a realistic training.” This is as bold and direct a threat to use nuclear weapons as anything President Putin has ever made.
Countries involved in the war games were the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Poland, Romania, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The Royal Netherlands Air Force debuted newly purchased F-35A fighter jets. The jets have recently been “certified” to carry new B61-12 air-dropped H-bombs which are soon to be transferred from the U.S. to five NATO states, replacing older B61s.
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