The head of the U.S. Special Operations Command said Saturday that Russia is using every opportunity to divide the NATO alliance, posing a long term threat to U.S. national security.
“Russia is looking to challenge us wherever they can. The intent is to create a situation where NATO can’t continue to thrive,” General Joseph Votel said from at the Aspen Security Forum, Fox News reported.
Gen. Votel said that he did not have “unique insights” into Russian President Vladimir Putin, but said he believes Mr. Putin sees the expansion of NATO as a threat.
“I think what they [Moscow] are attempting to do is create these frozen conflicts and create situations that are very, very difficult to resolve along their border,” the general said, Fox reported.
Those conflicts “could pose and existential threat,” Gen. Votel added.
Gen. Votel said Russia’s recent nuclear energy deals with Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia — traditional U.S. allies — are proof of Moscow’s push to challenge the U.S. and expand its influence.
He added that SOCOM is helping countries that want to resist Russian influence.
“We work with partners to help develop their capabilities,” Gen. Votel said, Fox reported. “We help our embassies with some of their messaging activities that they are doing out there to make sure that truthful information is getting out to populations. We use our civil affairs capability to help connect governments to their populations and strengthen those relationships. In doing that, (we) reduce those vulnerabilities of populations who may be vulnerable to this type of pressure they get from outside countries.”
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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