Europe, Boring Until it's Not

[BjornP]

Text says: "Great gesture! Thus Berlin mourns for the victims of Istanbul". Context: 39 people were recently killed in a New Year's Eve bombing of a Istanbul nightclub. ISIS has claimed responsibility.

But aside from that, yeah.... Brandenborger Tor colored in an Islamic flag? Definitely also a good visual for a "Europe falls to Islam" meme.

[TheReal_ND]

After the Truckening they put a German flag on top. Then they realized the last time the gate had a German flag on it was 1945 and quickly replaced it with the Berlin flag

[ssu]

After the Truckening they put a German flag on top. Then they realized the last time the gate had a German flag on it was 1945 and quickly replaced it with the Berlin flag

Not so. During the DDR there was a German flag on top of Brandenburger Tor. The Flag of East Germany. And when Germany unified, the (West) German flag was raised there.



And for the Turkish flag put on Brandenburger Tor, seems like the Berliners use the method a lot to show solidarity for terrorist attacks.

After the Paris attacks in 2015:


After the attacks in Brussels:


So uh, hope your countries flag isn't projected on the Brandenburger Tor as a show of solidarity...

[TheReal_ND]

Does Orlando count?

[Smitty-48]

Now I maybe somewhat alarmist towards Russia, but 4 new Flankers to a Flanker base? Nope, that's not a cause for alarm. It's called modernization or aquiring new aircraft. Standard thing that Russia has done for decades now. Not preparation for war.

I wouldn't say their intentions are entirely peaceful, converting 159th Guards Regiment at Besovets to Gen 4++ Air Superiority Cy-35C Flanker-E? They're there to intrude on your airspace to test your resolve and ELINT your IADS, with a bird which seriously overmatches your F/A-18's should you ever endeavor to tussle with them.

Certainly no cause for national mobilization, but it is war preparations in the end.

[Xenophon]

Now I maybe somewhat alarmist towards Russia, but 4 new Flankers to a Flanker base? Nope, that's not a cause for alarm. It's called modernization or aquiring new aircraft. Standard thing that Russia has done for decades now. Not preparation for war.

I wouldn't say their intentions are entirely peaceful, converting 159th Guards Regiment at Besovets to Gen 4++ Air Superiority Cy-35C Flanker-E? They're there to intrude on your airspace to test your resolve and ELINT your IADS, with a bird which seriously overmatches your F/A-18's should you ever endeavor to tussle with them.

Certainly no cause for national mobilization, but it is war preparations in the end.

Cool it, Smitty. Are you trying to give ssu a heart attack?

[Smitty-48]

Just sayin'; Cy-35C Flanker-E, ain't your run o' the mill Flanker, other than VLO, it's in the same league with F-22.

Whether it's USAF or VVS, when that league gets parked right across your border, sends a message; you're at the top of the hit list.

[SuburbanFarmer]

That's what SAM sites are for. Seriously, who the fuck cares about fighter jets any more?

[Smitty-48]

The Russian SEAD capability is off the charts, in a shooting war, Finland's IADS wouldn't last past noon on the first day, but even in terms of OOTW, Finland's 24 x NASAMS II are no threat to Cy-35C, too high, too fast, too agile, Flanker-E would dance away from a SLAMRAAM with ease. Even a NATO Patriot system would be hard pressed to shoot a Cy-35C down, particularly with Russian EW in play.

There's really only one thing in the NATO arsenal which can match up with Cy-35C, and that's F-22.

The Russians have the best SAMs, by far, Triple Digit is a lethal threat to non VLO NATO assets, but NATO's AD is actually dogshit, the West hasn't invested in SAM's like the Russians have, NATO is totally dependant on Fighters for air defence above low level.

[Xenophon]

That's what SAM sites are for. Seriously, who the fuck cares about fighter jets any more?