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U.S. defense officials say that a Russian fighter jet flew as close as within 3 meters of a US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft in international airspace:
The Pentagon says a Russian fighter plane flew within about 10ft (3m) of one of its reconnaissance aircraft operating over the Black Sea. US officials described the intercept by the SU-27 jet on Wednesday as "dangerous and unprofessional". Russia's defence ministry said the US plane had been approaching Russian territory and the SU-27 pilots had adhered to international rules. Russia is currently carrying out military exercises in the Black Sea.
Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis said the US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft had been conducting routine operations in international airspace when the Russian fighter made the unsafe manoeuvre. "These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident," he said. A US defence official quoted by AFP news agency said the Russian plane had flown within 30ft of the P-8A before closing to just 10ft.
Also at Reuters. You may remember this similar incident.
Related: UK Defence Minister: New Cold War "Warming Up"
US Jets Scramble to Intercept Russian Planes near US Aircraft Carrier
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 08 2016, @03:51PM
.. maybe you shouldn't try to poke the BEAR INSIDE ITS OWN FRIGGIN' CAVE, cowboy?
Unless, of course, you 're done with that finger. And with your face.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by bob_super on Thursday September 08 2016, @05:07PM
Old meme, still pretty accurate: http://i.imgur.com/UzaEGyw.jpg?1 [imgur.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 08 2016, @10:42PM
Funny meme, but it's very disingenuous.
First, remember Ukraine. I think there is plenty of evidence in recent past of Russian adventurism. I'm sure some apologists will say how they really did want to join Russia... and for all I know that could be right and all the hints it was military annexation are propaganda. However, I'm sure you agree there is evidence of Russian expansionism.
Second, your link intentionally confuses cause and effect. I would suggest it is a "country (e.g. Germany) wants protection against external threats, including Russia expansionism, so asks that a US base be built in their country." If you weren't aware, the hosting countries pay quite a bit for those military bases. They may not pay 100% of the operating costs, but they still aren't cheap. They presumably are getting something for that money they spend.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 09 2016, @09:22AM
Crimea voted to join Russia. The west is just refusing to acknowledge the results (we only like democracy when it's in our favor). Not because of any fraud, we intentionally refused to send people to monitor the vote because we were afraid that without fraud we would have to acknowledge the result.
The rebels in the other part of the country are still fighting. Yes, they get unofficial support from Russia, but Russia has not moved to take over that part of Ukraine.
Oh, and guess what. The rebels in Ukraine have gotten less support from Russia than ISIS got from the west (ISIS could basically walk in because the west bombed anything Syria had to keep them out).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 09 2016, @03:47PM
Crimea voted to join Russia. The west is just refusing to acknowledge the results (we only like democracy when it's in our favor). Not because of any fraud, we intentionally refused to send people to monitor the vote because we were afraid that without fraud we would have to acknowledge the result.
Like I said, it could be the truth that Crimea wanted to join. I do know that my BS meter triggers like mad at the idea that this was a grassroots movement (the voter turnout numbers are exceedingly high and bias, the Russian military "volunteers" and "vacationers" entering the country, the timeline of the military entering prior to the votes, etc). However, I don't know ground truth. All the news reports I've heard have been propaganda... I doubt it, but it colud be true.
Regardless, like I said, even if it were a legitimate request in Crimea, certainly you'll agree that there is at least things which can be interpreted as evidence of Russian adventurism by those who want to perceive it as such.
(Score: 2) by butthurt on Saturday September 10 2016, @01:46AM
The Crimean referendum didn't offer voters the option of remaining part of Ukraine on the same terms as before the revolution.
A return to the 1992 Constitution — adopted after the Soviet collapse but quickly thrown out by the post-Soviet Ukraine — would effectively provide for Crimea’s independence, while remaining part of Ukraine.
--http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/15/world/europe/crimea-vote-does-not-offer-choice-of-status-quo.html [nytimes.com]
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Friday September 09 2016, @07:17AM
If you want to make a far stronger point, ignore NATO, just look at *US* military and intelligence installations around the world - there are *way* more of them than there are NATO bases. I honestly can't think of more than a tiny handful of sovereign countries where I'm sure there are no US installations.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 10 2016, @02:03AM
Imagine that Canada, France [wikipedia.org], the Bahamas and Mexico formed a military alliance that excluded the United States. Would United Statesians not feel nervous about that? Recall the Cuban Missile Crisis. [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 2) by turgid on Thursday September 08 2016, @05:11PM
That nice Mr Putin [youtube.com] is widely maligned and misunderstood in the West. He only has our best interests and well-being at heart. He's a true hero, brave, and shining example [youtube.com] to us all.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Thursday September 08 2016, @05:18PM
Wait, which bear owns International Airspace?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 08 2016, @05:32PM
The ManBearPig aka Putin owns it all. The north pole, international airspace and everything any Russian has even thought about once.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Thursday September 08 2016, @09:00PM
Probably Poland and Romania too, soon.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].