The race is getting hotter and hotter.

(Baonghean) - The Norwegian government has recently allowed more than 300 US Marines to be stationed at a military base in the central part of the country, starting from January 2017. Notably, this force is deployed only about 1,000 km from the border with Russia. Immediately, Russia reacted to this move. The race for mutual deterrence between Russia and Western countries is heating up every day.

Norway turns its back, Russia is upset

The public is particularly interested because this is the first time foreign troops have been stationed on Norwegian territory since the end of World War II. Norway is considered a NATO member but has a fairly good relationship with Russia. Looking back to 1949, before joining NATO, Norway reassured Russia by declaring that it would not allow foreign troops to be stationed unless the country was threatened with attack.

However, with the latest move, it seems that Norway no longer remembers this reassurance. In her statement, Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide even affirmed that the US is “the most important ally” and Norway wants to develop this bilateral relationship. Not only that, Mr. Soereide clearly stated that Norway's defense depends on strengthening the alliance, so the allies' coordination with Norwegian forces is extremely important for the country's security.

The Norwegian government has allowed hundreds of US troops to be stationed in the country from early 2017. Photo: Reuters

The statement was in response to Russia’s “surprise” that Russia did not pose a threat to Norway. This means that for Norway, national security in the new context, although there is no immediate risk, still requires careful preparation.

Accordingly, 330 US Marines will be deployed on a rotational basis to the Vaernes base near the city of Trondheim, central Norway, 1,000 km from the Norwegian-Russian border in the Arctic region. This force is expected to participate in training and exercises under various weather conditions and circumstances in the Arctic. Of course, Norway's decision has made Russia unhappy.

The "tightening" war

Following the actions of Norway and the United States, the Russian Embassy expressed its displeasure and made “reciprocal” moves. In recent days, Russian aircraft carriers have been making a big show of force towards Syria along the European coast. According to the media, Russian President Putin has sent two warships believed to be equipped with nuclear ballistic missiles to the Baltic Sea.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later expressed concern that the Russian group of ships “could very well support military operations in Syria.” Earlier this month, the Russian Defense Ministry also confirmed that Russia had deployed Iskander-M nuclear-capable tactical ballistic missiles to the Kaliningrad region, a Russian territory located between Poland and Lithuania.

Russia's Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is believed to be on its way to Syria. Photo: Express.

Meanwhile, on the US and NATO side, in addition to being ready to station troops in Norway, the bloc also met in Brussels on October 26 to discuss details of plans to increase its military presence along its eastern flank. Accordingly, it will deploy rotating forces in the Baltics and Poland early next year as part of an effort to prevent Russia's increased presence.

The US hopes that European countries including France, Denmark, Italy and other allies will fulfill their commitment to contribute four battle groups of about 4,000 troops to the plan. The four groups will be led by the US and include German, British and Canadian forces deployed in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

Conflict is hard to heal

It can be said that the race for mutual deterrence between Russia and Western countries has never stopped, since the annexation of Crimea into Russia in 2014. Since then, the relationship between Russia and NATO has fallen into the most serious confrontation ever. Most recently, this confrontation was rekindled in July this year, when NATO announced that it would deploy more troops to Poland and the Baltic countries to deal with Russia. These moves are said to stem from tensions between Russia and the West related to the recent crises in Ukraine and Syria.

In the context of these two crises still falling into a stalemate, especially the war in Syria is still extremely fierce, the race of mutual warnings between Russia and Western countries cannot stop.

According to Norwegian military experts, the US move to station troops in this country could create a “confrontation zone” like the Cold War in history. With new conflicts of interest and strong geostrategic competition like today, the risk of conflict cannot be ruled out. At that time, the worst-case scenario would be extremely bad for all sides.

Phuong Hoa