All eyes have been on Los Angeles recently, and it’s understandable given the concerning events happening there. Witnessing an uprising in one of our major cities, with gangs causing chaos in defiance of authority, is unsettling for all of us.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, familiar dynamics are at play. For instance, the United States Navy and 15 NATO allies are currently engaged in Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS25). This military exercise, which involves 40 ships, 25 aircraft, and around 9,000 personnel, is a reminder of the Cold War era and holds strategic importance due to the Baltic region’s geopolitical dynamics.
BALTOPS is more than a training exercise. It’s also a symbolic thumb of the nose at Tsar Vladimir I.
This month, NATO naval forces are showcasing their strength in the Baltic Sea, with participants from 17 countries operating aboard 50 vessels as part of military drills organized by the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet.
Of the nine countries that share a Baltic Sea coastline, only Russia is not a NATO member, and June’s BALTOPS exercise aims to ensure those other countries can work together to defend the area, at a time when Moscow is turning up the heat.Â
“This year’s BALTOPS is more than just an exercise,” said U.S. Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson in a press release this week. “It’s a visible demonstration of our Alliance’s resolve, adaptability and maritime strength.”
So, the question is this: How will Russia respond?
This is a personal opinion and worth every penny you paid for it, but I don’t think Russia will do anything directly. The nations of the eastern Baltic – Finland, Estonia, and Latvia – all share land borders with Russia. But while Russia has its port at St. Petersburg, there is a significant bottleneck in getting from the port to the Gulf of Finland, and an even tighter spot between Sweden and Denmark to break out into the North Sea and the greater Atlantic. Were I Russia and looking to play some navy games, I’d want to find a less constricted spot. When it comes to the Baltic, it’s a NATO pond, and Tsar Vladimir I knows it.
Besides, Russia has other things on its mind right now.
