NATO recreates project STAY-BEHIND

24.11.2016
Lithuania

Today, within the framework of the Iron Sword 2016 multinational exercises, volunteer units are practicing maneuvers in Lithuania.

Agenda and background

The Iron Sword 2016 war games began on November 20th and will last until December 3rd. Approximately 4,000 troops from Estonia, Latvia, Great Britain, Canada, Poland, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia, and Germany are going to participate in these exercises.

The participation of volunteer groups is of particular interest. This project is in some ways reminiscent of the secret NATO operations carried out in the 1970’s-80's in Western Europe. All these cases involved the creation of illegal paramilitary groups that were supposed to be mobilized in the case of a "communist victory" or “Soviet invasion.” However, some of these secret organizations went out of control and committed serious crimes against the citizens of their own countries. Some attempts at investigation yielded no results.

Earlier this year, Poland decided to create volunteer self-defense units which have already received the name "rural commandos."

Lithuanian Interests

These maneuvers are a kind of test for the new Žemaitija (Iron Wolf) brigade which Lithuania established this year. In addition, this is a chance for political PR. Yesterday, November 23rd, Lithuania celebrated Armed Forces Day.

Escalation

NATO is deliberately provoking Russia with these actions. Senior officials of the alliance have repeatedly claimed that Russia poses a threat to the Baltic countries, but no evidence has been given to prove this fact. Instead, it was decided to send a group of military forces from different countries to Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, i.e., closer to Russia’s borders.

On the eve of these events, the British Defense Minister reported that the UK would send 800 troops to Estonia.

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Lithuania
NATO
Stay-Behind
Iron Sword 2016