Newest worldwide action sounds warning

The Obama administration finds itself in a no-win situation with Russian President Putin ordering troops into Ukraine and Crimea.

Putin’s action should be of no surprise to our commander in chief or Congress. Ever since Putin became president 14 years ago, the former KGB head is determined to return the former Soviet Union to its glory days of being a major player on the world’s stage. While President Bill Clinton was counting down the days of his presidency in 2000, the Russian submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea with more than 100 sailors on board. Within days of the sinking, Putin’s propaganda machine speculated that the sinking occurred because of a possible collision with an American submarine that had been in the area with two other vessels observing war games. Ironically, the ships in the vicinity offered help but Putin’s government refused.

Conspiracy news followed although the investigation later revealed a torpedo explosion led to the sinking that killed 118 sailors.

Putin, who appeared as the unsmiling but “docile” Russian bear at the Sochi Olympics, has revealed a carnivorous side of Russian politics and the desire to “save” the Ukraine from hooligans and restore the rightfully elected president back on the job.

So, where does this move the United States and its allies? The Obama Administration is calling for economic and political sanctions against the Kremlin although many European governments are reluctant to implement their economic sanctions. It appears Russia pumps at least 25-50 percent of its natural gas to Europe, and one of the biggest recipients of the gas is Germany.

How does Putin’s decisions tie into Fallon, the naval air station and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center?

Putin may have awakened our commander in chief and Congress not to slice the future military budget in such a Draconian faction. Putin continually sees a crack in the United States’ armor, and the Russian strongman is willing to keep piercing the American resolve, whether it’s through diplomacy or military provocation.

While no return to the Cold War appears imminent, a certain amount of thick frost has blanketed U.S.-Russian relationships, which has been experiencing a downward spiral since Obama took office. The need for a viable military is just as important now as it was a decade ago. Russian power keeps growing as does China’s presence in the western Pacific ... and there should be no doubt the Obama administration keeps 11 aircraft carriers and continues to train in Nevada as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently announced. With the world becoming a little more uncertain, activity at NSAWC should be as busy as ever when the U.S. figures out how to keep Putin behaved.

LVN editorials appear on Wednesdays.