Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Bulgaria Wary of Russian Expansionism

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Since Russia's annexation of Crimea, the number of Russian military aircraft flying over the Black Sea, fairly near to Bulgaria's aerial borders on the Black Sea, has increased.  Military drills by The West has also increased in the Black Sea.

NATO has been on alert, as has Bulgaria, while the troop number along Russia's Ukrainian border remains ramped up.

Bulgaria, a former member of the Soviet Union's Cold War sphere of influence, and one of the communist nations behind the Iron Curtain, joined NATO 10 years ago.  Though the former Russian ally has maintained good relations with Russia, since the crisis in Ukraine heightened, Bulgaria has twice participated in navy drills with a U.S. warship in the Black Sea.  Bulgaria is also currently hosting a two-week military exercise that includes Ukrainian and U.S. forces.

Meanwhile, the United States is considering moving a warship into the Black Sea, and deploying a small team of soldiers to Europe as part of NATO's effort to bolster allies in Eastern Europe who are worried about Russia's military annexation of Crimea.

While the White House toys with sanctions, and appeasement, military commanders are considering ways to bolster America's military presence in the region.

NATO foreign ministers have ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary


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