What should the US do about flaunting of military power by Russia?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:19:07 -0500

Belligerent nations flaunt their will and taunt our might. What's the intelligent thing for us to do?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/11/13/363575880/russia-and-the-west-close-encounters-of-the-cold-war-kind?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20141113&utm_campaign=dailydigest&utm_term=nprnews

Russia And The West: Close Encounters Of The Cold War Kind

Russia and Western countries have had several close encounters in the air and at sea recently. Russia says these are just routine military exercises, but NATO and its Nordic partners are alarmed.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 12:32 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:32:43 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, on the one hand, while I don't think we dare "back down," because that just encourages these countries to continue this behavior; on the other hand, I think we have to be careful not to escalate things, because these countries may just want that.

I would say a diplomatic response (discussions, sanctions, etc.) would be part of the answer. Then some sort of warning that we won't tolerate this "brinkmanship" (as the author cites). If necessary, a show of force to make the bullies understand we won't be intimidated.