Armed Forces News

The U.S. and its NATO partners should devote more time and energy countering Russian aggression in Europe, the alliance’s former commander believes. Citing instability and what he termed as Russia’s “illegal” annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, former Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove wrote in the July/August issue of Foreign Affairs that the alliance is not prepared to deal with Russia’s desire to reestablish the power it wielded while the Soviet Union still existed, during the Cold War. Breedlove retired as commander, Supreme Allied Command Europe (SHAPE), and U.S. European Command, in 2013. “To better prepare for these challenges, the United States should increase the resources available to its forces in Europe and recognize Russia as the enduring, global threat it really represents,” Breedlove wrote.