Denmark has summoned Russia's ambassador over a Baltic Sea encounter that Copenhagen says is part of an increasingly aggressive pattern of Russian behavior.
No, they want to provoke and probe. Responding would give them information. Why do that? In this case, what was seriously endangered other than pride? Just shrug it off and not give the wannabe-second-greatest-army-in-the-world the satisfaction.
Well, because it sets a precedent. The Russians have once again escalated and will now continue doing this untill they risk either political humilation or the loss of assets. Right now, they risk neither.
We, on the other hand, are put at risk by not responding. The Danes will now risk their crews and helicopters by flying them near Russia vessels and the only way to eleviate that risk is either by deterring the Russians or just not flying at all and letting them do what they want.
By choosing neither, we are actually increasing the risk that things will escalate further as, sooner or later, the Russians will simply screw up and accidentally down a helicopter.
No, they want to provoke and probe. Responding would give them information. Why do that? In this case, what was seriously endangered other than pride? Just shrug it off and not give the wannabe-second-greatest-army-in-the-world the satisfaction.
Well, because it sets a precedent. The Russians have once again escalated and will now continue doing this untill they risk either political humilation or the loss of assets. Right now, they risk neither.
We, on the other hand, are put at risk by not responding. The Danes will now risk their crews and helicopters by flying them near Russia vessels and the only way to eleviate that risk is either by deterring the Russians or just not flying at all and letting them do what they want.
By choosing neither, we are actually increasing the risk that things will escalate further as, sooner or later, the Russians will simply screw up and accidentally down a helicopter.