Kees Homan: Putin is testing Western resolve
Here’s a new think tank analysis from Maj. Gen. (ret.) Kees Homan MA, LL.M of the Clingendael Security and Conflict Programme:
Putin is testing Western resolve It seems as if, quite suddenly, arms control is back on the international political agenda, as U.S. and Russian leaders are clashing over conventional forces, missile defences, nuclear forces, and missiles in Europe. Russia has threatened that it might suspend the implementation of the 1990 Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, which caps the amount of tanks and other major weaponry deployed in Europe. Moscow is frustrated that NATO member states refuse to ratify a 1999 revision of the accords because Russian military forces remain in Georgia and Moldova. However, as a result the blocked Treaty cannot be reviewed and updated to deal with the impact of the latest security challenges to force levels, missions, activities, technologies and equipment.