Tension with Russia, what is the final outcome?

They have let the Chechyns loos in Syria since this article has been written. Good call. CW2 Joseph Evans LTC Stephen F. SGT (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SGT (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Good question, PO1 John Pokrzywa.

It looks to me like Putin is trying to re-establish the Russian Empire. Russia does not like the idea of having bordering nations linked to foreign alliances (in the case of Europe, NATO) and has been signaling that it will take military action against minor powers who are strengthening ties with NATO since the conflict with Georgia.

Where will it go? I think it will become a prolonged period of confrontation in and around states that are not actually members of NATO. There will be Russian posturing against the Baltic States and Poland although there is less likely to actual subversion/invasion like we are seeing in Ukraine. We will also see increasing pressure on the Central Asian states to not cooperate with the US, NATO, or China.

How should we respond? I think we should continue with economic sanctions, military support to our NATO partners, engagement with the Central Asian states, and continue talking with Russia (like we did throughout most the Soviet period). Our ability to confront Russia will be limited by our reliance on supply routes that transit Russia for logistical support to ISAF/Resolute Support forces in Afghanistan. Unless we can open an alternative route, there will be real limits to how hard we can press Russia.

We pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan and we let the Chechen's loose on them.