Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Navy Fellow Mark Seip writes for Defense One on why NATO and the United States must use lessons from the Cold War to counter Russia’s efforts to intimidate its neighbors:
Last week Sweden hunted down what was widely believed to be a Russian submarine in its waters, and Estonia accused Russia of once again violating its airspace. These incidents are just two in a long list of Russian actions designed to coerce its neighbors through intimidation, creating increased tension throughout the region. In acknowledging old-school geopolitics, the United States and NATO must use lessons from the Cold War to check Russian aggression and instill resolve into the alliance.
When it comes to visible signs of strength, NATO and Russia are going in opposite directions.
The U.S. footprint in Europe once numbered over 250,000 troops, but now only 30,000 remain within two combat brigades. U.S. battle tanks number in the dozens where they once numbered in the hundreds, and F-15 fighter aircraft reductions are scheduled for later this year.