Russia has stepped up its military maneuvers to a level unseen since the height of the Cold War, according to a new report released by NATO Thursday. Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance’s secretary-general and author of the report, noted that Moscow has conducted at least 18 large-scale exercises over the past three years, “some of which have involved more than 100,000 troops.” Those exercises included several simulated nuclear attacks against NATO allies and partner nations, such as Sweden in March 2013.
The report was released two days after the Obama administration proposed spending $3.4 billion on its troops and training in Europe as a direct result of Russia’s recent action in the regions, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. “We haven’t had to worry about this for 25 years, and while I wish it were otherwise, now we do,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter Tuesday. FULL REPORT
