The new Cold War with Russia has just gotten considerably colder, literally.
Vladimir Putin has recently surged forces into the Arctic and heightened the alert level of others already in the area.
Reportedly, this operation involves large numbers of troops, warships and aircraft. Mr. Putin’s gambit clearly seems designed not just to project power into the Arctic Circle region, but to dominate its vast energy and other resources.
Unless successfully challenged by the U.S. and its allies, chances are Mr. Putin will pull off another seizure of strategic territory – in much the same way as he grabbed Crimea from Ukraine a year ago.
Dissuading such aggression will require leadership sorely lacking at the moment in Washington and NATO, backed by the credible capability and will to use force to protect our interests there.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.