British and American troops staged a land assault in Estonia as tensions rise between Putin's Russia and the West. NATO's biggest military exercise since the Cold War involved attack helicopters, explosions, and simulated battlefield scenarios.
Key Points
Over 2,300 soldiers, sailors, and aviators from four countries participated
Exercise Swift Response was part of Exercise Steadfast Defender 24 involving 90,000 personnel
Russia threatened to strike British military facilities in response to UK support for Ukraine
NATO is preparing for potential conflict with Russia
Putin warned of direct conflict with NATO and targeting Western air bases hosting US-made fighter jets
Pros
Testing NATO's ability to defend against a near-peer adversary
Demonstrating solidarity and strength against potential threats
Enhancing military coordination and cooperation among allied countries
Cons
Escalating tensions between NATO and Russia
Potential for miscalculation or misunderstanding leading to conflict
Financial costs and resource allocation for large-scale military exercises