European security

US Military in Europe: Deterring Russia Has Failed, Containment on the Way

Back in July, the US Department of Defense announced that a US initiative which begun in 2014 to "reassure allies that the United States remains committed to enduring peace and stability in Europe has transitioned into a deterrent approach in light of Russian aggression."

"As we continue to see a malign influence and a Russia acting to upset international norms, we have transitioned beyond purely assurance to serving as a strong deterrent against Russian aggression," Air Force Maj. Gen. David Allvin, US European Command’s director of strategy and policy, testified at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee’s oversight and investigation subcommittee on the future of the European Reassurance Initiative, telling the panel that "because of the changed atmosphere, Eucom is planning and executing a stronger deterrent to Russian aggression." The request for $3.4 billion in fiscal 2017 funding for the European Reassurance Initiative reflects this transition, the general said.