U.S., Russia and Norway Plan Joint Naval Drills

May 27, 2012 - Norway and Russian recently completed a big joint training exercise called "POMOR-2012." It ended on May 17.

The U.S. will join both nations in a three-way exercise in August in what is called "Northern Eagle 2012."  Naval officers from Norway and Russia recently with their U.S. counterparts in  Murmansk, Russia (map) to make preparations for Northern Eagle 2012.

Russian destroyer "Admiral Chabanenko"
Udaloy II class destroyer (newest Russian destroyer class)
Photo: Trude Pettersen

"The exercise will start from Bodø in Northern Norway on August 18," according to Barents Observer. "The Russian side will participate in the exercises with the same vessel as in POMOR-2012, the destroyer 'Admiral Chabanenko'....The exercises will also include use of Russian Su-33 jet fighters and Ka-27 helicopters, American Sea Hawk helicopters and Norwegian F-16 jet fighters and Orion surveillance planes, the Russian Defense Ministry’s web site reads."

Northern Eagle 2012 also include a U.S. Arleigh Burke class Aegis destroyer, reports AvioNews. Aegis destroyers are "the most balanced surface warships ever built, with the weapons, electronics, helicopter support facilities, and propulsion, auxiliary and survivability systems," says GlobalSecurity.org.

They "are equipped with the MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), GlobalSecurity says, "which fires a combination of up to 96 Standard surface-to-air, Tomahawk surface-to-surface missiles and VLA antisubmarine missiles; and AN/SQQ-89 Undersea Warfare System, with a bow-mounted AN/SQS-53C sonar system."

The Norwegian Navy will play a Nordkapp frigate in the naval games, "as well as hosting naval aircraft and helicopters from the three navies." The Admiral Chabanenko returned at  Russia's Northern Fleet (NF) main base at Severomorsk (map) on May 23.

Killing Homosexuals? Hmmmm....

See, I would never propose that. Really. It's, well, it's just wrong. Some Muslims in Europe, however, just can't make up their minds as to whether or not killing homosexuals is, you know, the right thing to do. Certainly there are Muslims outside of Europe who feel the same way; after all, they line homosexuals up against a wall and stone them to death or crush them to death by pushing the brick/stone/cinder block wall over on them. But let's stay with these particular Muslims, living in Norway, who can't make their minds up about killing homosexuals. Now, if you're a Liberal, the PC thing to do would be to say, "Ah, but it's all relative and it's a cultural thing. Golly, that's how their culture does it. Who are we to tell them what to do?" The report about an Islamic council in Norway: By Bruce Bawer - For a case in point, I will refer the reader to an episode I’ve mentioned previously in this space — an Oslo debate last November at which the deputy chairman of Norway’s Islamic Council, Asghar Ali, refused to reject the death penalty for gays. When Senaid Kobilica, the head of the Islamic Council (which represents 60,000 Muslims), was asked where he stood on the question, he replied that he couldn’t give a definitive answer until he got a ruling from the European Fatwa Council. This week it was reported that he’s still waiting... FULL POST at FrontPage Magazine... Of course, the Truly Correct thing to do is to condemn, loudly, the atavistic, primitive brutality that could allow even a moment's hesitation in deciding whether or not to kill homosexuals. I say let 'em live. To be fair and balanced, however, there is also this story out of England: Sharia law incompatible with human rights legislation, Lords say. Good lord, common sense in the UK? Perhaps there is still a glowing ember of reason...

Who Owns the North Pole?

Russia says it does. It's all about minerals, petroleum and gas, and there is a mad scramble by nations to get access to it. A June, 2007 article in the Daily Mail (UK) noted that "Russian President Vladimir Putin is making an astonishing bid to grab a vast chunk of the Arctic - so he can tap its vast potential oil, gas and mineral wealth." Russian scientists base their claim on an underwater ridge near the North Pole, which they say is actually part of the Russian continental shelf. [Source: Daily Mail] In a July 28 article, the Barents Observer, which specializes in watching such things: According to a press release from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Arctic accounts for about 13 percent of the undiscovered oil, 30 percent of the undiscovered natural gas, and 20 percent of the undiscovered natural gas liquids in the world. About 84 percent of the estimated resources are expected to occur offshore. FULL ARTICLE at Barents Observer... Today, the Financial Times reports that "The issue of who owns the North Pole was a backburner issue while the region was encased in ice. But warmer temperatures suggest the region, which may hold up to one-quarter of the world's remaining oil and gas reserves, could soon be put into play as thinning ice makes it accessible." FULL ARTICLE at Financial Times... Will the dispute be settled fairly? Doubtful, says the Barents Observer today: There is, however, little chance of everyone playing fair when so much it as stake, journalist Nick Meo writes. According to him, United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea, which governs maritime territorial claims, is likely to sow as many disputes as it solves. The legal position of the area is confusing, to say the least, and could set the scene for some potentially spectacular disputes in the future, he believes. FULL ARTICLE at Barents Observer... The Telegraph UK fretted on August 16 that Russia may be stepping into a "confrontation with the other polar powers, who are only now waking up to what is at stake" in terms of incredible resources in the Arctic: The ambitions of today's Russians are equally bold – while the planting of the titanium flag was a largely symbolic gesture, it signalled Russia's intention to claim a vast of territory underneath the icecap that amouts to half the Arctic Ocean's seabed. If they have their way they will tame one of the last true frontiers, making Moscow the master of much of the Earth's remaining energy supplies. The risk, however, is of lurching into confrontation with the other polar powers, who are only now waking up to what is at stake. The great prize is the 25 per cent of the Earth's remaining oil and gas which the Arctic is thought to contain. FULL ARTICLE at Telegraph UK... RELATED: Bad New Bear Is Norway putting relations with Russia in jeopardy? Norway challenged by Russian plans in Spitsbergen waters New oil and gas survey makes the Arctic hot