What should be done about Russia's plan to expand in the Arctic?

2014-10-23T09:46:37-04:00

http://barentsobserver.com/en/security/2014/10/russia-says-no-need-nato-arctic-expands-own-military-presence-22-10

Russia says no need for NATO in Arctic, expands own military presence

Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announces plans to deploy troops along entire length of the Arctic, while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is convinced there is no problem requiring NATO presence.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 10:03 AM

2014-10-23T10:03:14-04:00

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, I read this report at a different web site. It is troubling that Russia is making this move, and in the report I read, it said: "Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said America would increase a presence in the Arctic while Canada expressed deep concerns."

I do think Russia's move is potentially another step in a dangerous expansion plan, and if we just watch it happen, we could find ourselves on the outside looking in, when it comes to the natural resources coming from that region.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 10:05 AM

2014-10-23T10:05:31-04:00

CW5 Montgomery--thanks for being first to respond..yes, it seems to be much like when Teddy Roosevelt was president--Russia and Japan were at odds and doing distracting things. Teddy was years ahead of all even predicting attack in the pacific by Japanese....now it seems the other way around with Russian expansion. The future wars may be about resources. Thought we have treaties about Arctic and Antarctic...have to bush up on that.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 23 at 2014 12:55 PM

2014-10-23T12:55:23-04:00

I think most of this is the typical Russian posturing. Because the UN imposed sanctions on Russia they beat their chest and move some troops in to force Norway not to deploy forces to fight ISIS in Iraq. What Putin needs to do is tell his comrades to quit beating the war drums, pack up the Vodka and head south and get in the fight against the ISIS. ISIS wants to 'liberate' Chechnya and Caucasus a lot more than Norway wants 'liberate' the Arctic.