From: Ad 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6191504.stm

Hmmm....

(A) I'd like to see something from the self-proclaimed leader of NATO aka
the USA wrt it's troops/ships/aircraft etc & national vs NATO control.
At the moment it's still looking a bit of a one way street ie. "we
need all NATO assets to be NATO deployable/controllable.....except
ours...." as that concept can apply to all.

(B) To a degree I'd be happy to see nations & units specialize anyway.
e.g. if the Germans really don't want to get into dangerous PBI stuff
involving possibly having to beat an enemeny to death with a spade at night
coz you're out of bullets then...OK in which case...German 155 SPG cover,
Tornados/Typhoon/CH-53 etc in the skies, frigates/minesweepers etc at sea
& leave the PBI bit to those happy with doing the PBI bit.

BTW I think this is now what's happening anyway as the brand new & v.
impressive German 155 SPG are seeing a lot of use in Afghanistan & have
been moved to Khandahar etc.

C) I'd like to see NATO take a "forward posture" esp wrt
surveiilance assets i.e. "prevention is better than a cure". e.g.
the E3'es should be based in Cyprus & Dijbouti to monitor the Levant
& Horn of Africa/Red Sea region & where the interested parties know
that they are having accurate records kept wrt movements & actions.

They should as part of this, expand the NATO surveillance fleet to include
the equivalent of ASTOR etc i.e. ground watch as well as air watch.

i.e. instead of moving in when a conflict has broken out, spot the tension
points & "publically pre-position suveillance assets".


Adam

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