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The Hill
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Reform of command and control systems should be NATO priority
The June NATO summit in the Hague achieved great success by reaching a consensus among its members to increase the target of national defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. In addition, the cost of military aid to Ukraine is allowed to be included as part of the defense budget. Details of modernization plans were discussed earlier and are secret. But one area that was not discussed is the reform and standardization of command and control systems of NATO countries. All this new spending and effort will come to naught if the command and control system is confused and ineffective at best or captured by the enemy at worst. NATO must give priority to reform of the command structures in its members that will make them effective and compatible with the overall NATO command. Former communist countries, in particular, have Soviet legacies that can have significant impact on their military performance at the time of crisis or war. These legacies were revealed by Ryszard Kuklinski, a Polish military officer and liaison with the Soviet High Command, who became a U.S. spy in the 1970s. He provided 35,000 Warsaw Pact documents, which gave details of Soviet plans to invade Western Europe, Soviet military equipment and the Soviet command and control structure. He was concerned that the Soviet Army's planned march across Poland to invade Western Europe would result in the U.S. nuclear retaliation against Soviet forces in Poland in an effort to stop the invasion. The information that he provided led to far reaching changes in the U.S. geopolitical posture. For one, it led to a change in NATO defense strategy. Instead of planning massive nuclear retaliation against Soviet satellites, former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski in 1997 stated, '[Kuklinski's] information permitted us to make counter-plans to disrupt command and control facilities rather than only relying on a massive counterattack on forward positions, which would have hit Poland.' Second, Kuklinski leaked Soviet plans to invade Poland in response to the founding of Solidarity in December 1980. President Carter issued both public and private warnings to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev that implied knowledge of Soviet plans, thereby deterring the planned invasion. Third, Kuklinski described the Warsaw Pact system of military command and control, which was dual in nature for peacetime and wartime. The Soviet General Staff could take control of its satellites' armed forces at a time of war or crisis without knowledge or permission of satellite governments or even their communist parties. It was formalized in a document, 'Statute of the United Armed Forces and the organs for directing them in time of war,' adopted in the late 1970s. This most clearly demonstrated the lack of sovereignty of Eastern European countries allied with the Soviet Union. After 1989, the East European countries established the civilian control of the military and moved to reform Soviet force and command structures. Power struggles between entrenched communist elites and outside reformers resulted in uneven progress in different countries and sometimes a regression. In Poland's case, in 2014, pro-Russian President Bronisław Komorowski brought back the old dual system of general and operational command for the time of war and peace. In 2011, he signed an agreement with the National Council of the Russian Federation, creating the danger that the Russians can use old channels to render the Polish Army ineffective in case of national emergency and war. This structure lacks clear lines of authority and creates two centers of competing commands. Furthermore, it requires time to transition from peacetime to wartime at a time when it is most vulnerable to outside interference. As a matter of fact, it is well known that Russia's strategy for invasion consists of a decisive, initial attack on the civilian and military command structures in the first hours of war. The Russian military has special units whose particular task is to destroy enemy command centers at every level. Thus, if Russia destroys NATO's ability to command its own forces and sow confusion, the war may be over before Western troops get out on the battlefield. Exiting Polish President Andrzej Duda, elected in 2015, who is also the commander in chief, made reform of the dual command system his signature project. Last year, he introduced legislation to abolish the old dual structures and establish a combined operational command, overseeing restored commands of types of armed forces, such as, land army, air force, navy, special forces and territorial defense. This would establish a unified principle of peacetime and wartime readiness, which will not require precious time to transition from peace to war. This new system would be similar to those that are being adopted by other NATO countries and by Ukraine. It would be virtually the opposite of the system that exists now. However, this legislation has not been acted upon, just like his previous attempts at reform. In ten years, he did not get very far. The command system remains split for peacetime and wartime. The opposition of old Communist officers and politicians is strong. The essence of the old system remains. NATO is in the process of transformation with increased spending, defense industrial production and recruitment in virtually all members. But this is not enough. The secure and functional command system is the key to military effectiveness. All NATO members, but particularly those from the former Warsaw Pact, should make this task a priority. But NATO must be a supervisory agent, so such important tasks do not become hostages of domestic politics. Lucja Swiatkowski Cannon, Ph.D., is a senior research fellow at the Institute of World Politics in Washington and a strategist, expert and author on Eastern Europe, Russia and U.S.-East European relations.
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cong Mysuru convention, show of strength amid internal conflict: Bommai
Haveri: The Congress party is holding a convention in Mysuru on July 19 to showcase its internal power struggles rather than achievements, said former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai. Speaking to the media in Haveri on Wednesday, he said Congress has not achieved enough to warrant a convention. They had earlier planned a show of strength in Hassan under the pretext of a convention of achievements. Now, that is being done in Mysuru. The fact that the party in-charge has already held meetings with ministers shows that things are not right within the party. The internal conflict continues without a full stop. Unless the Congress High Command gives clear direction, this unrest will persist. It even seems like the High Command itself wants this confusion to continue. On the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, Bommai said, it is a project that can generate around 2,000 megawatts of electricity at a relatively low cost. About 38 hectares of forest land will be affected. Forests should be grown in alternative areas and the surrounding forest must be protected. The project has already received conditional approval, and it should proceed in adherence to those conditions. When asked about the Congress allegation that protocol was violated during the inauguration of the Sigandur bridge, the former CM said there was no violation of protocol in any manner.
Scroll.in
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Panchayat' season 4 review: Easy-going charm loses the vote to an over-hyped election
In Phulera village in Uttar Pradesh, where time tends to move at a glacial pace, things are finally beginning to hot up. The contest between Manju Devi (Neena Gupta) and Kranti Devi (Sunita Rajwar) for the sarpanch's post is round the corner. The threat of regime change assumes war-like proportions. Manju Devi's bottle gourd election symbol is being wielded with ferocity against Kranti Devi's cooker. Manju Devi needs all the help she can get from her husband and ex-sarpanch Brij Bhushan (Raghubir Yadav), daughter Rinku (Sanvikaa) and supporters Vikas (Chandan Roy) and Prahlad (Faisal Malik). Kranti Devi's ambitious husband Bhushan (Durgesh Kumar) and his lackeys Binod (Ashok Pathak) and Madhav (Bulloo Kumar) have the backing of the legislator Chandrakishore (Pankaj Jha), who has a long-running beef with Brij Bhushan. Although the new season of Prime Video's Panchayat is organised around the election, there is occasion for village council secretary Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar) to ponder whether he should flee Phulera for good. Abhishek has long been trying to clear the exam for a prestigious educational institute. But he has lowered himself deeper into the Phulera swamp than he cares to admit. He has lost his neutrality as a government employee and his heart to Rinku. He has genuine affection for Vikas and Prahlad. Initially focusing on Abhishek's fish-out-of-water experiences, Panchayat has evolved – or devolved in some respects – into a study of local-level politics. The Hindi comedy continues with the 'six steps forward three steps backward' approach that has characterised it since the first season in 2020. The more things change in Phulera, the more they stay the same – once an insight into the rural setting, this is now also a major source of contrivance. Hugely popular and spawning remakes in other languages too, Panchayat isn't going to give up hard-earned territory in a hurry, just like Manju Devi. The latest eight-episode instalment hypes the election, which invites an income tax raid and even the intervention of the 'High Command', represented by Member of Parliament (Swanand Kirkire). It appears at times that Manju Devi and Kranti Devi are competing to lead the country, rather than Phulera. The tried-and-tested plot elements work far better than the new shenanigans. Writer Chandan Kumar and director Deepak Kumar Mishra – both veterans of the series – are adept at maintaining interest levels. The creators drop in sharply written stand-alone moments and entertaining non sequitur-heavy conversations whenever the electioneering gets out of hand, which is nearly always. The core group – Abhishek, Manju Devi, Brij Bhushan, Vikas and Prahlad – continues to demand and earn emotional investment. Anything involving Vikas and Prahlad is a showstopper. Chandan Roy, as Vikas, and Faisal Malik, as Prahlad, have imbibed their fictional selves so completely that they can easily command a spin-off series. Durgesh Kumar is a riot as Bhushan, as is Pankaj Jha as Chandrakishore. Their antics are nudging Panchayat into a direction that takes us further away from Abhishek's dilemma. For all of Bhushan's boundless scheming, it's a miracle – or a convenient oversight – that he hasn't cottoned on to the Abhishek-Rinku coupling, which remains as dull as ever. Not for the first time, now more than ever, Abhishek wonders whether Phulera will survive without him. Panchayat is still laidback enough to postpone the decision for a few more seasons. Play
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Another caste census, a slap in the face for CM: LoP
Bengaluru: Through the decision to conduct another caste census, the Congress High Command has delivered a slap in the face to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This is a defeat for CM Siddaramaiah and a victory for Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, said Opposition Leader R. Ashoka. Speaking to reporters, he stated that the re-conduction of the caste census has caused embarrassment and defeat for CM Siddaramaiah, while it is a victory for Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar. 'We had all opposed this report. The Congress High Command also felt that this report was not right. The High Command has given a slap in the face to Siddaramaiah. Despite the CM's insistence that he would implement the report no matter what, he has now gone back on his words, so it would be appropriate for him to resign. Rs. 160 crore has been wasted, and they don't have the funds to conduct another survey. They must answer for this,' he demanded. On behalf of Kannadigas, R. Ashoka said he is raising questions to Siddaramaiah, as follows: Is it sacred only if it comes from the High Command's conch? This makes one thing clear: he has no trust in the people of the state, religious leaders, or community heads. Is he merely a follower of the High Command's orders? Who will conduct the survey? Schools have already started, and using teachers for such a massive task at this time would completely disrupt academic activities, directly impacting children's futures. So, who will the government deploy to conduct this survey within these 90 days? Online survey - an illogical step? The idea of conducting the survey online seems like another illogical step. When many literate people are still unfamiliar with online systems, how can such a survey be feasible? How will the accuracy of information and identification be ensured? What measures will the government take to prevent incorrect data entries? Who is responsible for the Rs 167 crore wasteful expenditure? Who is accountable for the massive amount already spent on the caste census? The earlier Kantharaju-Jayaprakash Hegde report has now been discarded like chaff. That report cost taxpayers Rs. 167 crore. Who will recover this money? Is this a grand drama to cover up the stampede tragedy ? Above all these developments, there are strong suspicions that the Chief Minister and his High Command are staging a grand drama to divert attention from the recent IPL victory celebration tragedy. Is this truly an attempt to shift public focus elsewhere? Struggle reaches logical conclusion When the BJP protested against the scam in the Valmiki Development Corporation, CM Siddaramaiah had admitted to the mistake. The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids much later. It has been revealed through investigations that the scam money was used for the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress leaders who misappropriated the poor's money must be punished, he said.
El Chorouk
09-04-2025
- Politics
- El Chorouk
El-Djeich Magazine: Armed Forces' Historical Responsibility in Protecting Borders
The Army's High Command emphasized that victorious Algeria is taking giant strides toward comprehensive development and progress through massive strategic projects and is now firmly advancing on the path to advancement and prosperity. The editorial in the latest issue of El-Djeich magazine, titled 'Securing the Present for a Brighter Future,' asserted that 'victorious Algeria is today taking giant strides toward comprehensive development and progress through massive strategic projects that, until recently, seemed unattainable, even a fantasy to some slackers.' The magazine noted that these achievements confirm that 'Algeria is now firmly on the path to progress and prosperity, confidently moving toward securing its present and looking forward to a brighter future'. The magazine added that 'what has been achieved in various fields and in a relatively short time proves this, particularly in the areas of food, water and health security, and many other fields, according to the vision of a wise leadership that places Algeria's interests and sovereignty above all else.' The military's mouthpiece explained that 'all development projects approved by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and implemented on the ground serve the citizen and meet their needs, based on the consecration of the social character of the Algerian state, derived from the literature of the victorious liberation revolution, particularly the November 1st Declaration.' In this context, the magazine noted 'the President's affirmation, in his last regular meeting with the national media, of his commitment to maintaining the same approach, ensuring further gains at various levels, particularly those that benefit youth, who represent the foundation and core of the nation'. In contrast, the editorial praised this important segment of society, imbued with a patriotic spirit and driven by a strong will to achieve all the set goals, as emphasized by the President of the Republic. Considering that security and development are two complementary elements, the magazine highlighted the pivotal role of the People's National Army as a fundamental guarantee for the continuation of this development process within a framework of security and stability. Noting that, 'in a regional environment witnessing increasing volatility and security challenges, our armed forces assume a historic responsibility to protect our vast borders, combat terrorism and organized crime in all its forms, and preserve the integrity of our national territory and the sovereignty of the state by working relentlessly to acquire deterrent military power'. In a different context, the editorial addressed the commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness, recalling the crime of mine-laying by French colonialism, which 'killed tens of thousands of Algerians who bravely held on to their ancestral land and defended it with unparalleled ferocity, sacrificing their lives to stop the inhuman crimes perpetrated by the hateful occupier in our country.' 'Because Algeria, a country of challenges, cannot face any obstacle without overcoming it with an unwavering will of steel, our country had to rid itself of this legacy, and this is what happened thanks to the efforts of the nation's sons, who did their utmost to achieve this goal,' the editorial concluded.
