Why the latest US Navy deployment to the Black Sea is unusually special
by Tom Rogan
| February 19, 2019 12:23 PM
My reporting colleague Joel Gehrke notes that the commander of U.S. naval forces in Europe, Adm. James Foggo, is sending a destroyer into the Black Sea. While this deployment isn't unprecedented, the manner of Foggo's order is unusual — unusual, and very positive.
It sends Russia a rare message of both American anger and resolve.
The former attack submarine commander's language was explicit. Foggo says the USS Donald Cook's deployment reflects his becoming "irritated" by Russia's "extremely bothersome" conduct in the Sea of Azov. But the admiral also mocked the harassment (a favored, albeit idiotic, Russian ploy) the Russian military is likely to employ against the Donald Cook. Foggo noted that Russia's "surface navy is not an equivalent match for either the United States Navy or [other] NATO navies in the world." The implication: You talk a big game, but we're stronger than you. Foggo knows that language will infuriate his Russian counterparts, but that's his intent.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/why-the-latest-us-navy-deployment-to-the-black-sea-is-unusually-special
