"Russia/U.S.: Playing With Fire?"

"Could a U.S. response to Russia's actions in Ukraine provoke a confrontation that leads to a U.S.-Russian war?" asks The National Interest writers Graham Allison and Dimitri K. Simes  in "Russian and America:Stumbling to War".

That's an unthinkable question and yet the sabre-rattling between the two nations has grown deafening. So loud, in fact, it seems neither can think straight.

How else can we explain this perilous game of brinkmanship they seem to be playing?

The Russian News Agency, TASS, reported back in September that Russia was "revising its defense doctrine as new threats emerge."

What new threats, you ask?

"...first and foremost," says Colonel-General Viktor Yesin, former Chief of Staff of the Russian Strategic Missiles Forces,"...the West, primarily the U.S."

Alexander Lukashevich, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, says, "We see massive movement of fighter jets and tanks to eastern Europe, columns of armored vehicles riding down central roads and other signs of rapid militarization of the region."

"We consider the continuing discussion in Washington on possible weapons supply to the Ukrainian authorities as deliberate escalation of tensions," he adds. "That directly threatens Russian security."

"But that doesn't scare us," Lukashevich continued. "We could recommend Washington, which decided to use the crisis in Ukraine to flex its muscles, to seriously think about the consequences..."

A not-so veiled threat? Considering:

• Russian bombers have been intruding in NATO airspace
• President Putin says he was ready to put nuclear forces on alert in Crimea
• Russia's ambassador has warned off Denmark from joining NATO missile defense with threats of being targeted with nukes
• Russia's decision to send Iran its missile defense system in spite of objections from Washington

If Russia and the U.S. are stumbling to war, the American public (for the most part) remains blissfully unaware...

...and meanwhile, this dangerous game of "chicken" goes on.

A wise man once said: "Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind." --President John F. Kennedy

"For when they say 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."  (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

News;

• The Washington Free Beacon: Iranian Warships Arrive Near Yemen; comes days after U.S. announced it would send its own warships
• The Telegraph: Russia Masses More Forces Near Ukraine Border. A new build-up is under way with Russia deploying air defense units inside Ukraine and massing more troops on the border, says U.S. State Department.
• Russia FM: Grudges over Crimea prompt Obama to say Russian economy in tatters. Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavron claims remark a "Freudian slip."