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During the Cold War, NATO would have reinforcing Germany (REFORGER) exercises to test/prove that Western allies from North America and Europe could move large numbers of troops & resources (a supply chain) to West Germany to meet a Warsaw Pact invasion. https://www.nato.int/docu/review/articles/2019/01/24/nato-ready-for-anything/index.html">https://www.nato.int/docu/revi...
I think of the REFORGER model a great deal recently as Western Govts realise that their medical supply chain’s nuts/bolts/gowns etal is really based in China (with all that has entailed) and not an alliance. We are improvising now against a Virus we have not practiced in the past
By 1990s esp, Western Govts were being run mostly by Boomers without the experience/wisdom of the WW2 generation who had seen up close how things ‘really work’ in extremis (ie war means owning national capabilities) & these Boomers were free trade zombies like this unironic idiot
The lesson of 2020 & the #Coronavirus will be that Davos Man had no answer to a world in which not everyone drank his Kool Aid. The Chinese esp have no interest in being a member of the “liberal international order” these clowns whither on about. Why would China ever play along?
Also, while not everything is #DragonBear (not even a #Coronavirus made in Wuhan) the reality for the Western security alliance is that it faces a PRC/RUS (plus Iran) entente that has no incentive to respect your "Norms" esp now you are so exposed as unprepared for such a crisis
The British Empire survived for so long, despite long wars against France & all Germanies - not least because of British grit, island strategies & Seapower (plus English plus Cricket/Football...) - but because the whole Empire was an integrated (& in extremis) war supply chain
So for all of us who form part of West& #39;s security alliance (if you are reading this is in English, this is esp you) will need to reflect on the "Virus Crisis" lessons....we have done well from a standing start but our supply should be in allied hands & responses tested & improved
