Obama at the NATO Summit

The White House: Here are the main remarks by the President Obama ( full version just click here ), " First and foremost, we have reaffirmed the central mission of the Alliance.  Article 5 enshrines our solemn duty to each other -- “an armed attack against one…shall be considered an attack against them all.”  This is a binding, treaty obligation.  It is non-negotiable.  And here in Wales, we’ve left absolutely no doubt -- we will defend every Ally.

Second, we agreed to be resolute in reassuring our Allies in Eastern Europe.  Increased NATO air patrols over the Baltics will continue.  Rotations of additional forces throughout Eastern Europe for training and exercises will continue.  Naval patrols in the Black Sea will continue.  And all 28 NATO nations agreed to contribute to all of these measures -- for as long as necessary.

Third, to ensure that NATO remains prepared for any contingency, we agreed to a new Readiness Action Plan.  The Alliance will update its defense planning.  We will create a new highly ready Rapid Response Force that can be deployed on very short notice.  We’ll increase NATO’s presence in Central and Eastern Europe with additional equipment, training, exercises and troop rotations.  And the $1 billion initiative that I announced in Warsaw will be a strong and ongoing U.S. contribution to this plan.

Fourth, all 28 NATO nations have pledged to increase their investments in defense and to move toward investing 2 percent of their GDP in our collective security.  These resources will help NATO invest in critical capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and missile defense.  And this commitment makes clear that NATO will not be complacent.  Our Alliance will reverse the decline in defense spending and rise to meet the challenges that we face in the 21st century. 

Fifth, our Alliance is fully united in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and its right to defend itself.  To back up this commitment, all 28 NATO Allies will now provide security assistance to Ukraine.  This includes non-lethal support to the Ukrainian military -- like body armor, fuel and medical care for wounded Ukrainian troops -- as well as assistance to help modernize Ukrainian forces, including logistics and command and control. 

...Today, the United States and Europe are finalizing measures to deepen and broaden our sanctions across Russia’s financial, energy and defense sectors.  At the same time, we strongly support President Poroshenko’s efforts to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict in his country.  The cease-fire announced today can advance that goal, but only if there is follow-through on the ground.  Pro-Russian separatists must keep their commitments and Russia must stop its violations of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

..I also leave here confident that NATO Allies and partners are prepared to join in a broad, international effort to combat the threat posed by ISIL.  Already, Allies have joined us in Iraq, where we have stopped ISIL’s advances; we’ve equipped our Iraqi partners, and helped them go on offense.  NATO has agreed to play a role in providing security and humanitarian assistance to those who are on the front lines.  Key NATO Allies stand ready to confront this terrorist threat through military, intelligence and law enforcement, as well as diplomatic efforts.  And Secretary Kerry will now travel to the region to continue building the broad-based coalition that will enable us to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL. "

Lets Get Real:

The above are tough words when it comes to Russia and ISIS, the question is will Obama follow through, what if Russia starts to cause problems in the Baltic States with its native Russians, will NATO really protect them, one would not be surprised to learn one morning that Russians troops have gone it to the Baltic States to defend the native Russains.  That would be the ulitmate dest for NATO.   Would the public of Europe really go to War to protect the Baltics, lets recall Russia is a nuclear power, one does miss the Cold War.    The birthplace of ISIS is Syria, will the US and UK attack ISIS there, that is the real question.   The New World Order of the post Cold War period is OVER, welcome to the New World Order, and a new Cold War with with Russia and the threat of terrorism from the Middle East. 

Obama and ISIS - Middle East Crisis

CNN - Politics: Reports on President Obama's remarks on ISIS, " President Barack Obama said Friday that "there's great conviction that we have to act as part of the international community to degrade" and ultimately destroy ISIS jihadists that pose a long-term threat to member countries. "

Lets Get Real:

This IS why President Obama does not give one much confidence, at the end of the day the US has to lead, taking down ISIS is a long term project, it will take years, the US needs a leader who will tell the West the truth, Reagan called USSR an Evil Empire, and took it down, if it had been up to the Democrats and the elite West the USSR would still be here, and Eastern Europe would still be under the control of Moscow.   The West has to place ground troops in Iraq AND Syria to bring down ISIS, of course speical forces are there already but you still need trained combat troops to take back the towns and cities held by ISIS.   The problems of ISIS and Putin's Russian is not going to go away, a good speech does not cut it, there is the need for bold action, the West after Afghanistan and Iraq is afraid and lead by weak leaders.   Great leaders bring the people along, thus a Thatcher and a Reagan, weak leaders go by the political polls. 

The Ukraine and Pro Russian Rebel Deal - Part 2 - Ukraine Crisis

Telegraph: Reports in its 6.04pm post the following,  Russian reaction to the NATO statement that it will hold military exercises with the Ukraine Forces, " The essence and tone of [Nato] statements on the Ukraine situation, and the plans announced to hold joint Nato exercises with Kiev on the territory of that country before the end of 2014, will inevitably lead to heightened tension.

They risk wrecking the progress made in the peace process in Ukraine, and encourage a deepening of the split in Ukrainian society. "

Lets Get Real:

President Putin wants the Ukraine back, he is taking the long view, he is waiting for the West to lose interest in the Ukraine then he will increase the pressure, more arms and military equipment to the Russian rebels, this blog would not be surprised to see the pro Russian use terrorism on Ukraine forces in the West and Kiev itself.   Between ISIS and Putin the West has a lot on its plate, lets hope the West can win, you have murdering cowards on one hand with ISIS and a MR KGB up to his old tricks in Western Ukraine, that is why there has to be firm leadership from the OVAL.  One is not holding one's breath for that, Obama is a great speaker when he is on form, that form has been suspect of late, and as a leader he gets a D grade. 

The Coalition of the Willing against ISIS - Iraq/Syria Crisis

Guardian: Reports " US forms 'core coalition' to fight Isis militants in Iraq..US secretary of state John Kerry rules out committing 'boots on the ground' at meeting of 10 nations on sidelines of Nato summit "

Lets Get Real:

The above is a way to lose to ISIS, the terrorist cowards of ISIS have to be taken on with combat troops, when you tell the enemy WHAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO, they will go for that weak spot and force the West to place ground troops, lets be honest here, there are UK and US special forces on the ground already,  ISIS could try a Tet offensive in Baghdad, thus forcing the West to get in to the action, also expect more terrorist attacks on Western interests in Baghdad, thus the need for more Western troops, this is going to be a long war, the West requires another Churchill/Thatcher on the UK side and a Reagan in the Oval.   The lack of fire in the belly by POTUS to fight is seen around the World, thus expect more hot spots in till 2017. 

Ukraine and Russian Rebels Agree Ceasefire - Ukriane Crisis

BBC News: Reports " The Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels have signed a truce deal to end almost five months of fighting. "

Lets Get Real:

This blog has doubts about this deal, the Russians could have agreed the deal as a way of getting less sanctions thrown at it, who is to say after a few days or weeks that the Russians do not go back to their plan to take over East Ukraine.   The Russian Bear can not be trusted, it lies and kills without remorse, one suspects that the Russians will increase military equipment to the East Ukraine Rebels for when they want to start the War again, as a great US President stated, Trust but verify