Special Ops Chief: Russia Aims to Divide NATO, Poses ‘EXISTENTIAL’ Threat to US

Russia seeks to test the United States at every opportunity and divide the NATO alliance, posing the most significant long term threat to US national security, the head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, General Joseph Votel, told the Aspen Security Forum.

“Russia is looking to challenge us wherever they can,” Votel told Fox News’ Catherine Herridge. “The intent is to create a situation where NATO can’t continue to thrive.”

Votel said he did not have “unique insights” into Russian President Vladimir Putin but he believes Putin sees the expansion of NATO “…as a threat to him and I think what they (Moscow) are attempting to do is create these frozen conflicts and create situations that are very, very difficult to resolve along their border.”

That “does, could pose an existential threat,” Votel added.

He also said Russia is using a “hybrid approach to warfare” where state and non-state actors are mixing military and non-military capabilities. The result is “a coercive effect…using information operations, using manipulation of media , using social media.” (Read more from “Special Ops Chief: Russia Aims to Divide NATO, Poses ‘Existential’ Threat to US” HERE)

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