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One
of the world’s richest nations openly expressed concerns over the possible outcome
of Europe’s continuing financial troubles, and is currently conducting army
exercises against the possibility of riots along its borders.
In
September, the Swiss military conducted exercises dubbed ‘Stabilo Due,’ with
scenarios involving violent instability across the EU.
Switzerland
has maintained an avowedly neutral stance for decades, and refused to join the
eurozone when presented with the opportunity.
Bern’s
biggest fear is likely the disorganization of neighboring nations’ armies that
would follow general instability; the eurozone crisis and the severe austerity
measures in the EU are forcing member-states to significantly slash their
military budgets. If protest continues to spread across Europe, police and
armed forces may find themselves ill-equipped to manage the unrest.
“I
will not rule out that we will need the army in the coming years,” Swiss
Defense Minister Ueli Maurer said last Sunday.
The
Swiss Defense Ministry has pressed ahead to modernize the country’s army
despite political opposition. With its multibillion-Franc military budget and
an army of around 200,000 soldiers, the country also plans to purchase new
‘Saab Gripen’ jet fighters.
“Minister
Maurer, accompanied by whispers from the top uniformed leadership in
Switzerland, is trying to raise awareness that Europe’s massive
fiscal-cum-political crisis could get very unpleasant,” John R. Schindler, a
professor of national security affairs at the US Naval War College wrote in an
article for the XX Committee website.
The
Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, Lieutenant General André Blattmann, likewise
revealed plans to deploy an additional four battalions of military police
(1,600 soldiers) to protect strategic points across the country. Blattmann is
expected to present the plan in December.
Professor
Schindler predicts that, “if the next Anders Brievik were to target Muslims,
not fellow Europeans, things could get unimaginably ugly very quickly,” which
could trigger widespread Muslim uprisings in Europe.
Switzerland,
however, stands in stark opposition to the multicultural policies and thinking
now common in other European nations. In 2009, Switzerland passed a national
referendum banning the construction of Islamic minarets.
And
while the global economic crisis has forced several European nations to cut
military expenditures, Switzerland has maintained relatively consistent levels
of defense spending.
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