U.S. and Russia Discuss Olympic Security

General Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Russian Chief of General Staff General Valery V. Gerasimov this Tuesday to discuss the possible use of sophisticated American technological equipment. The security of the Winter Olympics has been an increasingly vital part of conversation between President Obama and President Putin as the games are approaching. They discussed the technology exchange during a phone conversation on Tuesday. Although very few details have been disclosed, Gen. Dempsey has stated that he would be willing to share the equipment, however technical experts from both countries would need to test the communications systems that are already in place before doing so. The technological equipment can possibly throw off electronic signals and overlapping systems that are already in place thereby decreasing the security rather than increasing. Very little is known about what devices Russia is looking to use, but Gen. Dempsey did mention tools that would be "designed to detect and disrupt cellphone or radio signals used by militants to detonate improvised explosives from a distance." 

While security of the Olympics was the main focus of the meeting, Gen. Dempsey and Gen. Gerasimov also spent time discussing their bilateral agenda of exchanges and cooperation concerning counter terrorism and anti piracy. Both generals emphasized the importance of  bettering the communications between their armed forces. Gen. Gerasimov talked about his NATO combat mission concerns, as the mission comes to an end this year. He believes the contract ending will cause further instability in Afghanistan. Gen. Gerasimov aslo questioned where America was at with the effort to train, advise, and equip Afghan National Security Forces. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/22/world/europe/us-offers-russia-high-tech-aid-to-thwart-sochi-terror.html?ref=world&_r=0