On Monday, NATO will run annual drills to prepare for nuclear war. The war alliance insists that no real weapons will be used.
The drills will involve over 2,000 military personnel and 60 aircraft from 13 nations. It will be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands and focus on the region around “the United Kingdom, the North Sea, but also Belgium and the Netherlands.”
The drills, called Operation Steadfast Noon, will last two weeks. New NATO head Mark Rutte indicated that these drills are necessary to respond to a potential Russian nuclear escalation.
“In an uncertain world it is vital that we test our defense and that we strengthen our defense so that our adversaries know that Nato is ready, and is able to respond to any threat,” Rutte said.
In other words: They hope the world watches and that the military exercise is formidable enough to let enemies know that NATO’s defense is “credible and assured.”
