50,000 soldiers are participating in NATO exercise “Trident Juncture” in Norway. Security expert Derek Chollet explains why this exercise is essential when looking at Russia, and how the military alliance can cope with Trump. 

 Interview by Matthias Kolb, Brussels

There has not been such a NATO maneuver since the end of the Cold War, with an aircraft carrier, 65 ships, 250 planes, 10,000 military vehicles, and 50 000 soldiers from all 29 members states, as well as Finland and Sweden, the Western Military Alliance is exercising an emergency case, namely the attack on an ally, in Central Norway. In times of Russian aggression and in the aftermath of the illegal capture of the Ukrainian peninsula Crimea, NATO has to improve and prove its capabilities, says Derek Chollet.

SZ: Today, NATO kicks off its big maneuver "Trident Juncture 2018" in Norway. Why are such exercises essential and what can one learn from them?

Derek Chollet: Every army has to exercise. As a defensive alliance, NATO has to make sure that the armies of its 29 member states could work together effectively in case of an emergency. Such maneuvers also serve to identify weak spots when it comes to planning or logistics. At the same time NATO will closely watch Russia’s reaction in this regard.