AMU Homeland Security

NATO Kicks Off War Games in Ukraine

By William Tucker
Chief Correspondent for In Homeland Security

NATO began the Rapid Trident exercise in the Ukrainian city of Lviv located near the Polish-Ukrainian border. Forces participating in this years exercise number about 1300 from 15 NATO member and former East Bloc nations. The organization has held war games in Ukraine in the past, and NATO was quick to point out that the exercise was planned well in advance of the recent political turmoil in the east near the Russian border. In fact, Rapid Trident was held in 2013 as well. This years exercise is scheduled to run from 15-26 September and will focus on peacekeeping and stability operations. Rapid Trident may have been scheduled in advance of the recent turmoil in Ukraine, but it does come at a sensitive time. Though a cease-fire has been agreed to by the belligerent factions fighting in the east around Donetsk, violence has continued. Reports over the weekend claimed six people were killed and another 12 were wounded in skirmishes. The situation remains tenuous and could easily flare up. Though NATO seems content to hold its exercises, it still has much more to do to better assuage its member states that directly border Russia of its intent to follow through on collective security.

William Tucker serves as a senior security representative to a major government contractor where he acts as the Counterintelligence Officer, advises on counterterrorism issues, and prepares personnel for overseas travel. His additional duties include advising his superiors in matters concerning emergency management and business continuity planning.

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