Russia seems to be intensifying its new Cold War on the west

pulse

April 24, 2017 2:36 PM

Trump often said he'd likely "get along" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but a recent cruise missile strike in Syria put a wrench in those plans.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

President Donald Trump often said on the campaign trail that he'd likely "get along" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but a recent cruise missile strike in Syria seems to have put a wrench in those plans.

Soon after Trump ordered the strike against Syrian President Bashar Assad's air field on April 7, Assad's ally in Moscow has reacted in a number of ways that indicate a "cold war-like" posture will continue for some time.

On Thursday night, the US detected Russian military planes off the coast of Alaska for the fourth time in four days.

US fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers off Alaska's Kodiak Islands on Monday, flying alongside them for 12 minutes, until they turned around. NORAD again spotted the Russian bombers on Tuesday about 36 miles from Alaska's coast.

A pair of Russian spy planes also

The reasons for Russia's support for the Assad regime are many. Its only naval base connected to the Mediterranean is located in Tartus, on the western coast of Syria, and Russia sells large quantities of arms, such as jets and cruise missiles, to Assad.

Putin also uses this show of strength to bolster support at home and project strength abroad.

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