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        As US Rotates Generals in Europe, Job Is Prevent New 'Cold War'

   by Reuters

   As he stepped down as America's top commander in Europe on Tuesday,
   retiring Air Force General Philip Breedlove recalled how he began his
   career more than three decades ago trying to keep the peace during the
   Cold War with the Soviet Union.

   "I think my career is now ending here, trying to prevent a Cold War -
   and continue to keep the peace," Breedlove said in a farewell address,
   shortly before he received a final salute from troops at European
   Command headquarters in Germany. "But I hand that mission over now to
   you."

   Breedlove turned over European Command to Army General Curtis
   Scaparrotti, ending an era during which the straight-talking general
   helped transform U.S. and NATO planning in Europe after Russia's
   annexation of Crimea in 2014.

   A similar ceremony will take place on Wednesday to pass along
   Breedlove's other title, NATO supreme allied commander Europe.

   Backed by a big increase in U.S. military spending, NATO is setting up
   small eastern outposts, forces on rotation, regular war games and
   warehoused equipment ready for a rapid response force, all to deter
   Russia.

   U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter acknowledged on Tuesday NATO
   discussions to strengthen the alliance's position on its eastern flank,
   possibly by sending four battalions to rotate through the Baltic states
   and Poland.

   The moves effectively represent NATO's biggest build-up in eastern
   Europe since the Cold War.

   The Kremlin denies any intentions to attack the Baltic countries, but
   it has often said that they have become an aggressive "Russophobic
   kernel" pushing NATO toward a consistently anti-Russian posture.

   Tensions between Washington and Moscow have been highlighted by recent
   encounters between their militaries. Last month, two Russian warplanes
   flew what U.S. officials described as simulated attack passes near a
   U.S. guided missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea.

   Despite those incidents, the United States and Russia still work
   together diplomatically. Carter noted critical U.S. and Russian
   collaboration, including to secure a deal last year with Iran over its
   nuclear program.

   "That's why we'll keep the door open for Russia. But it's up to the
   Kremlin to decide," Carter said.

   "We do not seek a cold, let alone a hot war with Russia. But make no
   mistake, we will defend our allies, the rules-based international
   order, and the positive future it affords us."
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-command-rotation-europe/3313922.html