The document, reflecting Russia's growing maritime power, "is clearly focused at NATO. It claims to be a response to NATO's actions right up at its borders," a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) asserted.
What the former Royal Navy officer might perceive as Russia's hidden concerns regarding NATO has actually a solid foundation. For instance, the United States has allocated almost $1 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI) to boost its military presence, intensify war-games and increase rotational presence of US forces in Europe using a non-existent Russian threat as a pretext.
Yavoriv, Ukraine--US & Ukrainian forces in Exercise #RapidTrident, focus on peacekeeping & stability operations. pic.twitter.com/S5dqLmuqOY
— US Mission to NATO (@USNATO) 29 июля 2015
Bulgaria--Tactical intercepts & air-to-air training btwn US & Bulgarian jets during Exercise Thracian Star. pic.twitter.com/yDd6ys98Y3
— US Mission to NATO (@USNATO) 29 июля 2015
The ERI is the backbone of the Operation Atlantic Resolve, a US launched program started approximately a year ago to ensure its European allies especially in Eastern Europe and the Baltic that Washington is committed to protecting them from Russia, although Moscow does not pose a threat to any country in the world and there are no reasons to think otherwise.
US Marines fire simulated surface to air missiles in Exercise Red Flag--training Allies in air combat situations. pic.twitter.com/XGvQvs4dDD
— US Mission to NATO (@USNATO) 29 июля 2015
A US Army soldier scans for targets using a javelin--part of #AtlanticResolve. pic.twitter.com/qC4QLUG1K0
— US Mission to NATO (@USNATO) 29 июля 2015
Russia's new naval code, approved by Vladimir Putin on Sunday, outlines four functional and six regional areas, comprising the Atlantic and the Arctic (named as key regions), as well as the Pacific, the Caspian Sea, the Indian Ocean and Antarctica.
"I think one of the most interesting things about the new Russian naval doctrine is its huge expanse. It's an enormous amount of ground that the Russian Navy now expects to cover," Roberts told Sky News.
