From a mish-mash of various sources to form a more complete picture:
From Reuters:
>Armenia said on Wednesday it would host a joint military exercise with the United States next week, a development likely to irritate Russia.
>The Armenian Defence Ministry said the purpose of the Sept. 11-20 “Eagle Partner 2023” exercise was to prepare its forces to take part in international peacekeeping missions.
>Eagle Partner 2023 is a collaborative exercise between U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Armenian forces, set to take place in Armenia from September 11-20. This initiative aims to fortify our alliance with Armenia, focusing on bolstering interoperability and readiness via specialized peacekeeping operations training. The exercise will involve approximately 85 U.S. personnel and 175 Armenian participants.
>“The purpose of the exercise is to increase the level of interoperability of the unit participating in international peacekeeping missions within the framework of peacekeeping operations, to exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, as well as to increase the readiness of the Armenian unit for the planned NATO/PfP “Operational Capabilities Concept” evaluation. Within the framework of preparation for peacekeeping missions, units preparing for international peacekeeping operations frequently participate in similar joint exercises and trainings in partner countries,” the Defense Ministry added.
This is a big deal because this is the first time in Armenian history that U.S. forces of any kind will be engaging in any sort of activity on **Armenian soil**. And also the first time that both countries will engage in a one-on-one exercise. *And* it will take place for 10 whole days.
It is a step in the right direction for Armenia, and an affirmation of Armenia’s growing relationship with the West (and as such, rejection of Russia).
So much for CSTO (aka NATO from Wish)
South Caucasus has the hairiest geopolitics, all the major players in the world are making some sort of 3D maneuvers.
3 comments
From a mish-mash of various sources to form a more complete picture:
From Reuters:
>Armenia said on Wednesday it would host a joint military exercise with the United States next week, a development likely to irritate Russia.
>The Armenian Defence Ministry said the purpose of the Sept. 11-20 “Eagle Partner 2023” exercise was to prepare its forces to take part in international peacekeeping missions.
https://www.reuters.com/world/armenia-us-hold-joint-military-drills-sept-11-20-2023-09-06/
From the Pentagon (DVIDS is DoD media):
>Eagle Partner 2023 is a collaborative exercise between U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Armenian forces, set to take place in Armenia from September 11-20. This initiative aims to fortify our alliance with Armenia, focusing on bolstering interoperability and readiness via specialized peacekeeping operations training. The exercise will involve approximately 85 U.S. personnel and 175 Armenian participants.
https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/EaglePartner
From Armenpress (Armenian state news):
>“The purpose of the exercise is to increase the level of interoperability of the unit participating in international peacekeeping missions within the framework of peacekeeping operations, to exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, as well as to increase the readiness of the Armenian unit for the planned NATO/PfP “Operational Capabilities Concept” evaluation. Within the framework of preparation for peacekeeping missions, units preparing for international peacekeeping operations frequently participate in similar joint exercises and trainings in partner countries,” the Defense Ministry added.
https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1118856.html
This is a big deal because this is the first time in Armenian history that U.S. forces of any kind will be engaging in any sort of activity on **Armenian soil**. And also the first time that both countries will engage in a one-on-one exercise. *And* it will take place for 10 whole days.
It is a step in the right direction for Armenia, and an affirmation of Armenia’s growing relationship with the West (and as such, rejection of Russia).
So much for CSTO (aka NATO from Wish)
South Caucasus has the hairiest geopolitics, all the major players in the world are making some sort of 3D maneuvers.