Americans put Europe at top of global security concerns, support NATO commitment
Stars & Stripes: Army activates new air defense brigade in Germany as concerns over Russian threat multiply
SEMBACH, Germany — The Army activated a new artillery brigade in Germany on Thursday that is focused on protecting U.S. and allied forces from potential aerial threats.
The 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade adds to the expanded American military presence in Europe, which was sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February and concerns of a potential spillover into NATO territory.
“It’s certainly a deterrent knowing there’s additional air defense forces activating in Europe because it’s in our enemy’s calculus when they’re planning their next moves,” Col. Bruce Bredlow, the brigade’s commander, told Stars and Stripes at a ceremony at the Army base in the southwestern German village of Sembach.
President Joe Biden announced the new brigade in June at a NATO summit in Spain, where the war in Ukraine topped the agenda. But planning for the unit began several years before the conflict, when military leaders identified gaps in U.S. air defense capabilities in Europe, Bredlow said.
The brigade headquarters will provide command and control for all Army air and missile defense forces in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. It will report to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
“This strengthens the alliance and makes us all much safer,” Brig. Gen Maurice Barnett, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said Thursday, adding that the events in Ukraine were a reminder of the importance of air missile defense.
“If your primary assets are obliterated by (tactical ballistic missiles) and cruise missiles, winning becomes increasingly difficult,” Barnett said.
Since the unit became a one-star command in 2019, the role of brigade headquarters has been filled on a rotational basis by Army National Guard air defense brigades from three states.
The new active-duty brigade brings with it more than twice as much manpower as the rotational brigades did, officials said. It will oversee battalions based in Baumholder and Ansbach in Germany, as well as others in Turkey and Israel.
The activation comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin last week announced plans to annex nearly a fifth of Ukraine and hinted at using nuclear weapons if Russia’s territorial integrity were threatened.
The Kremlin has tried to frame Russia’s adversary in the conflict as NATO rather than Ukraine, in light of the U.S.-led alliance’s deliveries of weapons to the country and training of the Ukrainian military.
The U.S. has bolstered air, land, maritime, cyber and space capabilities in Europe in response to the Ukraine crises and now has more than 100,000 service members deployed to the Continent, the largest number in nearly two decades and up from about 63,000 in 2013.
Barnett said U.S. air defense capabilities will greatly expand as the new unit grows.
“We will continue to grow here in Europe,” Barnett said. “We’re not done expanding our air defense capacity. We are not done modernizing our forces here in Germany. Today is an important step, but we are not done.”
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German American Day, 2022
A Proclamation on German-American Day,?2022
OCTOBER 05, 2022
??Since 1683, when thirteen families arrived in Philadelphia and founded the first German settlement in North America, generations of Germans have put their faith in the promises of this land and set down roots in communities across this country.?On German-American Day, we honor the German immigrants who added their dreams to the American story, and we celebrate their descendants who continue to nurture and enrich the soul of this Nation.
????From championing the anti-slavery movement to helping establish the freedom of the press, from introducing the concept of kindergarten to advocating for universal education, and from inspiring the music we love to influencing the food we eat and beer we drink — German-Americans have strengthened our Nation’s character and sustained our progress and prosperity.?Today, they are leaders in every industry and every community, spearheading innovation and making essential contributions to?our Nation’s success.
????On German-American Day, let us also reaffirm the United?States’ vital alliance with Germany and our enduring bonds to its people.?As the closest of friends, the most reliable of partners, and strong NATO Allies, our countries work?together around the world to advance our shared commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and the rules-based international order.?Together, we will continue to stand against authoritarianism and advance freedom and opportunity for?all people.
????NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2022, as?German-American Day.?I urge all Americans to celebrate the rich and varied history of German-Americans and remember the many contributions they have made to our Nation.
????IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth?day of October, in the year of our Lord two?thousand?twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United?States of?America the two?hundred and forty-seventh.
??????????????????????????????JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
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Atlantic Council.
[Join Virtually] Africa and its strategic neighborhood. A high level IMF/World Bank Conversation
?The Africa Center is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its 2022 Annual Meeting Dialogue Series to coincide with the yearly International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Fall meetings taking place in Washington DC. On Thursday, October 13th, at 9:00am ET, the Africa Center will convene in the Atlantic Council’s studios to host top financial leaders from Africa and its strategic neighborhood, from the Middle East to Europe, to discuss opportunities, challenges, and what the future holds for development and financial markets in Africa.
The War in Ukraine has caused a geopolitical shift of resources around the world. It has exacerbated food insecurity, climate preparedness, security and human rights violations, and created global supply chain disruption. Resources that were once pledged to Africa were rerouted to help combat the war in Ukraine. Yet at the same time, the war has opened the door to new trade opportunities and positioning the African continent as a powerful alternative for investment.
However, African expectations go beyond covering the current needs (lands, mineral resources, and energy) of its allies. In order to foster the long-term industrial transformation of the continent, President Macky Sall of Senegal, as Chairman of the AU, has called on Africa’s development partners to agree to a renegotiation of the terms of the current multilateral system in light of shocks dealt to the global economy by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian War on Ukraine.
Earlier this year, the US Secretary of Treasury, Hon. Janet Yellen advocated for international finance reform of the Britton Woods Institutions. The event offers an opportunity to discuss these historic proposals on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Fall Meetings.
The meeting will convene key decision makers who are strategic neighbors to Africa to discuss with the leaders of African development institutions in a thoughtful dialogue on their cooperation and to inform stakeholders about their priorities. Join us on Thursday, October 13th at 9:00am ET by registering below.
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Rystad questions scope for planned OPEC+ oil cuts
Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway?—?Rystad Energy?Oil Market has responded to yesterday’s decision by the OPEC+ nations to cut crude production by 2 MMbbl/d in November.
ICE Brent Front Month rose to $94/bbl following the announcement, up from $88/bbl last Friday
Jorge Leon, Rystad's senior vice president, however, said it was unlikely the group could attain the full headline cut.
However, there is scope to deliver 1.2 MMbbl/d of effective cuts as 14 of the 23 member countries (which accounted for 39% of the group’s production in September) are underproducing, so the new quota will not be binding.
He cited Russia where production is about 9.7 MMbbl/d, but with a new quota of 10.5 MMbbl/d.
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE and Kuwait will collectively undertake the majority of the 1.2-MMbbl/d reduction in November, with further cuts in Kazakhstan, Algeria, Oman, Gabon and South Sudan.
The group also announced its Declaration of Cooperation would be extended until the end of 2023.
“This adds a year of potential sturdy oil price floor amid what OPEC+ describes as `uncertain’ global economic outlook and the need for long-term guidance in the oil market,” Leon said.
And the 23-member group will only meet every six months, suggesting the new target production level of 40.1 will not undergo changes on a month-to-month basis. But there is scope for policy tweaks should market conditions waver, he added.
“We believe that the price impact of the announced measures will be significant. By December this year Brent would reach over $100/bbl, up from our earlier call for $89/bbl.”
The US has stated its "disappointment" over the move and plans to release an additional 10 MMbbl in November. The US government may also consider legislation aimed at what has previously been dubbed “NOPEC”, restricting how OPEC+ barrels are imported to the US, Rystad claimed.
Higher oil prices will add further to global inflation headache, with potential for more interest rate rises.
10.06.2022
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