Latest news with #MilitaryDeployment
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Sending British troops to Ukraine is a dangerous folly
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a European 'reassurance force' if and when the guns finally fall silent. According to the Defence Secretary, the military is 'ready to go, they're ready to act from day one'. Yet the hollowed-out state of Britain's armed forces paints a different picture. Britain is unlikely to be able to deploy troops in significant numbers, and it is far from clear that they would survive – let alone fight and win – should things get messy. The priority of this year's Strategic Defence Review was to get the armed forces ready to fight a war against Russia. But that will take time. Putting boots on the ground in Ukraine could jeopardise this ambition, as well as weaken our commitment to Nato. There are three principal reasons for this. First, numbers. Politicians will likely want to get away with deploying a single battle-group (1,500 troops) alongside a lion's share of the command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets and logistics enablers. However, if Britain wants to lead the mission and provide a credible deterrent to Russia that other European nations can plug into, then the minimum contribution for the UK would be a brigade (5,000). This commitment would require 15,000 troops to sustain indefinitely (one in theatre, one recovering and one training), which amounts to 20 per cent of the total British Army on paper strength, or 27 per cent when considering that only 77 per cent of the army's soldiers (54,695 troops) are currently considered medically deployable. Committing this force to an open-ended operation would effectively be permanently removing these troops from the British Army order of battle. This would come after committing two divisions (likely over 25,000 troops) to be Nato's Strategic Reserve. Britain could just about do this, but it could not do anything else. Second, capabilities. The 'reassurance force' will not be a neutral peacekeeping one. It will need to have access to the full heavy suite of military capabilities – on the land, sea and in the air and space – to deter further Russian attacks. In extremis, this force would need to fight and fix Russian forces within Ukraine if a wider war between Nato and Russia broke out, whether it be in Ukraine, or somewhere else in the Euro-Atlantic. The British Army is modernising, but it simply lacks the drones, tanks, armoured infantry and heavy artillery to provide a credible fighting force that would concern Moscow. The army also needs time to bring in equipment, train and integrate new doctrine for a battlefield that has been revolutionised by drone warfare. This 'reassurance force' would essentially be a few thousand European troops with old and outdated gear. Should fighting break out, it is more likely that the Ukrainian armed forces – the largest in Europe, battle-hardened and up to date with the latest innovations – would be doing the reassuring. Third, track record. British soldiers trained the Afghan National Security Forces for two decades, who were swept aside by the Taliban in a single summer offensive. Similarly, US and British-trained Iraqi Security Forces crumbled under the 2014 summer Isis advance. Most concerning, the 2011 Nato-led Operation Unified Protector over Libya limited the violence but did not produce a strategic victory. In short, Europeans have a poor track record of post-Cold War military success, even when the US has been heavily involved. These recent operations were all discretionary, whereas a mission to Ukraine cannot fail, otherwise it would be fatal for European military credibility and therefore broader European security. With reports that British troops might be sent to Ukraine within weeks of a ceasefire, there is not much time for defence planners to design an operation maximised for success. Furthermore, Putin could test the reassurance force early, in the hope of unsettling the Europeans and preventing further Nato members contributing to it in the future. For this reason the operation is incredibly risky. Without concrete US guarantees – not just to Ukraine but also European allies – a European-led deployment would be incredibly vulnerable and provide Putin with an opportunity, rather than a deterrent, to continue his aggression.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Venezuela mobilizes its militia after US says it's deploying military forces to waters around Latin America
South America National securityFacebookTweetLink Follow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday the deployment of 4.5 million militiamen throughout the country, assuring that 'no empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela,' after the United States doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest and increased the number of troops sailing around Latin America and the Caribbean. Last week, the US government confirmed to CNN that it had ordered naval movements in the region to contain the threat from drug trafficking groups. On Monday, Reuters reported that three US Navy destroyers and some 4,000 military personnel would arrive at the edge of Venezuela's territorial waters within the next 36 hours. On Tuesday, however, a US Department of Defense official said there are currently no US ships in the area and nor have the ships received orders to head there. Venezuelan territory has almost 2,500 miles of coastline. 'This week I am going to activate a special plan to guarantee coverage with more than 4.5 million militiamen throughout the national territory. Militias prepared, activated, and armed,' Maduro said during a televised meeting with the country's governors and mayors. The president described the 'extravagant, bizarre and outlandish' US threats as 'rotten rehashes,' without specifying what he was referring to. 'We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands. We liberated them. We guard and patrol them. No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela, nor should it touch the sacred soil of South America,' he emphasized in his speech. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked Tuesday about a possible troop deployment to Venezuela following reports of the military buildup. 'President (Donald) Trump has been very clear and consistent. He's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,' she said. She also reiterated the US government's position that Maduro 'is not a legitimate president.' Washington and Caracas have not had formal bilateral diplomatic relations since 2019. The Venezuelan government rejected Washington's accusation of drug trafficking, saying in a statement that the US was resorting to 'threats and defamation.' The Venezuelan Militia, which was created in 2005 by the late President Hugo Chávez and formally established in 2010, is part of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and has as its vision the 'incorporation of the organized people' to guarantee the 'comprehensive defense of the nation.' Maduro said he will move forward with a plan to activate peasant and worker militias 'in all factories and workplaces in the country.' 'Missiles and rifles for the working class, to defend our homeland,' he said. The Venezuelan Ministry of Defense says on its website that the FANB 'is made up of around 95,000 to 150,000 active combatants' and 'a growing National Militia made up of hundreds of thousands of people capable of serving as reservists.' The Global Fire Power website, which specializes in military analyses and uses official statistics or makes estimates when they are not available, ranks Venezuela 50th in military power in the 2025 ranking, among 145 countries. The United States ranks first, Russia second, and China third. A few weeks ago, the Trump administration doubled the reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, whom it described as 'one of the world's largest drug traffickers,' head of the Cartel of the Suns, and a threat to US national security. The Venezuelan government and other institutions in the country rejected the announcement, and several Chavista figures have dismissed the allegations. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has said that the Cartel de los Soles is an 'invention' of the US, and the Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has 'categorically' rejected Washington's 'ridiculous' accusations. CNN's Michael Rios and Haley Britzky contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Venezuela mobilizes its militia after US says it's deploying military forces to waters around Latin America
South America National securityFacebookTweetLink Follow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday the deployment of 4.5 million militiamen throughout the country, assuring that 'no empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela,' after the United States doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest and increased the number of troops sailing around Latin America and the Caribbean. Last week, the US government confirmed to CNN that it had ordered naval movements in the region to contain the threat from drug trafficking groups. On Monday, Reuters reported that three US Navy destroyers and some 4,000 military personnel would arrive at the edge of Venezuela's territorial waters within the next 36 hours. On Tuesday, however, a US Department of Defense official said there are currently no US ships in the area and nor have the ships received orders to head there. Venezuelan territory has almost 2,500 miles of coastline. 'This week I am going to activate a special plan to guarantee coverage with more than 4.5 million militiamen throughout the national territory. Militias prepared, activated, and armed,' Maduro said during a televised meeting with the country's governors and mayors. The president described the 'extravagant, bizarre and outlandish' US threats as 'rotten rehashes,' without specifying what he was referring to. 'We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands. We liberated them. We guard and patrol them. No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela, nor should it touch the sacred soil of South America,' he emphasized in his speech. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked Tuesday about a possible troop deployment to Venezuela following reports of the military buildup. 'President (Donald) Trump has been very clear and consistent. He's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,' she said. She also reiterated the US government's position that Maduro 'is not a legitimate president.' Washington and Caracas have not had formal bilateral diplomatic relations since 2019. The Venezuelan government rejected Washington's accusation of drug trafficking, saying in a statement that the US was resorting to 'threats and defamation.' The Venezuelan Militia, which was created in 2005 by the late President Hugo Chávez and formally established in 2010, is part of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and has as its vision the 'incorporation of the organized people' to guarantee the 'comprehensive defense of the nation.' Maduro said he will move forward with a plan to activate peasant and worker militias 'in all factories and workplaces in the country.' 'Missiles and rifles for the working class, to defend our homeland,' he said. The Venezuelan Ministry of Defense says on its website that the FANB 'is made up of around 95,000 to 150,000 active combatants' and 'a growing National Militia made up of hundreds of thousands of people capable of serving as reservists.' The Global Fire Power website, which specializes in military analyses and uses official statistics or makes estimates when they are not available, ranks Venezuela 50th in military power in the 2025 ranking, among 145 countries. The United States ranks first, Russia second, and China third. A few weeks ago, the Trump administration doubled the reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, whom it described as 'one of the world's largest drug traffickers,' head of the Cartel of the Suns, and a threat to US national security. The Venezuelan government and other institutions in the country rejected the announcement, and several Chavista figures have dismissed the allegations. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has said that the Cartel de los Soles is an 'invention' of the US, and the Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has 'categorically' rejected Washington's 'ridiculous' accusations. CNN's Michael Rios and Haley Britzky contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Venezuela mobilizes its militia after US says it's deploying military forces to waters around Latin America
South America National securityFacebookTweetLink Follow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday the deployment of 4.5 million militiamen throughout the country, assuring that 'no empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela,' after the United States doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest and increased the number of troops sailing around Latin America and the Caribbean. Last week, the US government confirmed to CNN that it had ordered naval movements in the region to contain the threat from drug trafficking groups. On Monday, Reuters reported that three US Navy destroyers and some 4,000 military personnel would arrive at the edge of Venezuela's territorial waters within the next 36 hours. On Tuesday, however, a US Department of Defense official said there are currently no US ships in the area and nor have the ships received orders to head there. Venezuelan territory has almost 2,500 miles of coastline. 'This week I am going to activate a special plan to guarantee coverage with more than 4.5 million militiamen throughout the national territory. Militias prepared, activated, and armed,' Maduro said during a televised meeting with the country's governors and mayors. The president described the 'extravagant, bizarre and outlandish' US threats as 'rotten rehashes,' without specifying what he was referring to. 'We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands. We liberated them. We guard and patrol them. No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela, nor should it touch the sacred soil of South America,' he emphasized in his speech. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked Tuesday about a possible troop deployment to Venezuela following reports of the military buildup. 'President (Donald) Trump has been very clear and consistent. He's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,' she said. She also reiterated the US government's position that Maduro 'is not a legitimate president.' Washington and Caracas have not had formal bilateral diplomatic relations since 2019. The Venezuelan government rejected Washington's accusation of drug trafficking, saying in a statement that the US was resorting to 'threats and defamation.' The Venezuelan Militia, which was created in 2005 by the late President Hugo Chávez and formally established in 2010, is part of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and has as its vision the 'incorporation of the organized people' to guarantee the 'comprehensive defense of the nation.' Maduro said he will move forward with a plan to activate peasant and worker militias 'in all factories and workplaces in the country.' 'Missiles and rifles for the working class, to defend our homeland,' he said. The Venezuelan Ministry of Defense says on its website that the FANB 'is made up of around 95,000 to 150,000 active combatants' and 'a growing National Militia made up of hundreds of thousands of people capable of serving as reservists.' The Global Fire Power website, which specializes in military analyses and uses official statistics or makes estimates when they are not available, ranks Venezuela 50th in military power in the 2025 ranking, among 145 countries. The United States ranks first, Russia second, and China third. A few weeks ago, the Trump administration doubled the reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, whom it described as 'one of the world's largest drug traffickers,' head of the Cartel of the Suns, and a threat to US national security. The Venezuelan government and other institutions in the country rejected the announcement, and several Chavista figures have dismissed the allegations. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has said that the Cartel de los Soles is an 'invention' of the US, and the Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has 'categorically' rejected Washington's 'ridiculous' accusations. CNN's Michael Rios and Haley Britzky contributed to this report.
Japan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Trump allowed to keep using national guard in LA for now
U.S. President Donald Trump can continue to use national guard troops to respond to protests in Los Angeles as a legal challenge over his use of the military proceeds, a federal appeals court ruled. In a win for the White House, a three-judge panel in San Francisco on Thursday said the Trump administration can keep using California National Guard troops to respond to the protests. In effect, it doesn't change the situation on the ground in Los Angeles, where the federal government has been deploying the military for more than a week. Thursday's decision isn't the final ruling on the matter and is likely to be immediately challenged. California could appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, or a bigger panel in the same appeals court. The lower court that had ordered the federal government to return control of the troops to the state will also hold a hearing on Friday. California and the Trump administration have been sparring over the federal government's response to the protests, including the deployment of thousands of the state's National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines. California and its Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, have blasted Trump's deployment as a "power grab' and an unnecessary intrusion on the work of local officials to police the protests. Lawyers for the state also have said it's "terrifying' that Justice Department lawyers said the presidents actions can't be second-guessed by the courts, and argue that the deployment sets a dangerous precedent. Representatives for Newsom and the White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. The Trump administration has maintained that the president has the power to unilaterally federalize national guard troops when he determines there is a "rebellion' or "invasion' that necessitates military intervention. And presidents are permitted to call up the state troops when "regular forces' are unable to enforce federal law. The appeals court judges said Trump likely acted lawfully when he federalized the national guard, but they objected to arguments raised by Justice Department lawyers that his decision cannot be reviewed by the courts. "We conclude that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority,' the appeals court said in a unanimous ruling late Thursday. The judges also stressed that the decision is limited to whether Trump was allowed to call for the deployment, but does not address "the nature of the activities in which the federalized National Guard may engage.' The appeals court panel, which heard arguments Tuesday by lawyers from both the Justice Department and California, is comprised of two judges appointed by Trump and one by former President Joe Biden. The court stepped in last week at the administration's request to pauses U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer's order declaring that Trump's deployment without California's consent was "illegal.' Trump issued a proclamation authorizing their deployment on June 7 and said protests in the city against his deportation initiative represent a form of "rebellion' against the authority of the federal government. In court filings, lawyers for the administration cited reports of violence and threats against federal property and officers conducting immigration enforcement. Breyer said in his June 12 ruling he was troubled by the idea that a protest against the federal government on its own could "justify a finding of rebellion.'
