Breaking Defense’s Post

The main results of 2023 are summarized by the Armed Forces and the entire Defense Forces. And we can gather all the achievements and tasks that we can implement. In our country. On our land. 💫 Giving thanks to the soldiers and their protection, respecting them, meeting veterans on their way home with consent and respect — the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation entered 2023 already hardened by the trials of the first year of a large-scale invasion.  📰 In an interview with a correspondent of the ArmyInform news agency, Ruslana Velychko, Acting Executive Director of the UVF, spoke about the year we managed to go through and survive. Read about the next year and the plans for the veteran community, which the entire team of the Foundation is striving to fulfill, in the article here: https://shorturl.at/qrDY0

Operation Bodyguard employed a variety of tactics to deceive the German High Command about the timing and location of the Allied invasion of northwest Europe in 1944. This included creating a fictional army, known as the First United States Army Group (FUSAG), led by General George Patton, and suggesting that the invasion would target the Pas-de-Calais region rather than Normandy. Operation Bodyguard utilized double agents, fake radio traffic, and visual deception, including dummy tanks (inflatable and wooden) and mock military hardware.   To support this deception, Operation Fortitude was devised, which involved fake radio traffic, leaked information through double agents, and the creation of a false invasion plan against both Norway and Pas-de-Calais. The goal was to make the German forces believe that the Allied forces were larger and would strike at multiple points simultaneously.   Allied intelligence was very good. Acoustic signals (higher frequency ultrasounds) from decrypted German radio transmissions, confirmed to planners that the German High Command believed in the Bodyguard deceptions and provided the Allies with the enemy's order of battle. This year, Operation Bodyguard was one of the topics that students could choose to write about in the 2024 ABMF Past is Prologue Essay Contest. #DDay #WeRemember #NormandyInvasion #OperationBodyguard #MilitaryHistory

#Norway’s government proposes to strengthen the country’s #ArmedForces with NOK 600 billion over the next 12 years. Top priority is reinforcing the #navy, #army and #airdefense as well as #situational #awareness, particularly in the #North. “A historic boost,” says PM Jonas Gahr Støre. Office of the Prime Minister, Norway Forsvarsdepartementet Finansdepartementet Forsvaret - Norwegian Armed Forces Eirik Kristoffersen Stortinget NATO United States Department of Defense Puolustusministeriö - Försvarsministeriet - Ministry of Defence of Finland Government Offices of Sweden, Ministry of Defense Danish Ministry of Defence Department of National Defence Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland

This is a very interesting read in the realm of professional warfare. It focuses less on Unity of Command in favor of Centralized Command. Let's hope we never have to test NATO's war planning in actual combat. https://lnkd.in/gSa3XHDu

AUK President Dan Rice 🇺🇸 🇺🇦, a former US Army artillery officer and a longtime supporter of sending various cluster munitions to Ukraine, co-authored an article titled "Unleashing Private Capital: A Strategic Shift to Boost Allied Defense" recently with John Nagl, professor of Warfighting Studies at the U.S. Army War College. In light of the war in Ukraine and Chinese aggression in the South-China Sea, Rice recognized the pressing need to bolster the defense capacities of key allies. Specifically, the expansion of the U.S. Development Finance Corporation's (DFC) mandate to include defense-related projects is discussed. This will enable the U.S. to stimulate the flow of private capital into areas crucial for global security. “Despite the ingenuity of Ukraine's 400 private and 100 state-owned defense companies, many rely on self-funding. By unlocking DFC funding for these defense companies, Ukraine can not only bolster its defense sector but also attract further civilian investment, ensuring a more secure and stable recovery. As the world becomes increasingly unstable, the U.S. must take bold steps to bolster the defense capabilities of its allies and expanding the DFC's scope is a critical first step in that direction.” We invite you to read the full article at the link: https://lnkd.in/eQapbTdA

This week in Washington is an important test for the Alliance. Can NATO operate at the speed and scale of relevance? Progress on paving the way to Ukraine’s NATO membership, augmenting Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities, and unambiguously elevating defense budgets would serve as proof of the Alliance’s continued relevance in a time of uncertainty. #WeAreNATO Atlantic Council Full text 👇 in the comment section

Excellent analysis of a difficult and complex operation.

This editorial asks the question: why are we there? But then it calls for military escalation. Which is the right policy? Increase US military activity in the Gulf (which means escalating a war with Iran), or let them sort it out themselves over there and focus on being energy-independent in the US. The current policy is expensive, both in $$ and in the lives of US soldiers. Thoughts?

The U.S. supports Israel in conflicts like the Gaza war for several reasons: 1. **Strategic Alliance**: Israel is a key strategic ally in the Middle East, providing the U.S. with a reliable partner in a region that is often unstable. 2. **Shared Values**: Both nations share democratic values and have a strong commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law. 3. **Security Interests**: The U.S. views Israel as crucial to its broader security interests in the Middle East, including counterterrorism efforts and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 4. **Political Support**: There is significant political support for Israel within the U.S., driven by influential lobbying groups and a substantial segment of the American electorate. 5. **Economic Ties**: The U.S. and Israel have strong economic ties, with extensive cooperation in technology, defense, and trade. These factors contribute to the U.S.'s consistent support for Israel in conflicts, including those involving Gaza. #mypointofview