Once again, it's all about oil (and gas). Best to get it yourself, not because you need it but because you can make (geopolitical) deals with it. I'm not sure whether the mil'y exercises have been conducted so as to show strength but, rather, so as to make sure your hardware is compatible with your software (people manning them). In other words, simple training and getting the military to get off its ruskie butt and get itself trained. All nations do that as often as their budget permits. But let's not also be so c..ocky as to think that they can't inflict dreadful punishment on the West, even though the West is far more numerous and better armed. Ruthless di.ctators (read here "Generals" and Corporate Phantoms) care not if they win or lose. They care only that they exercise their power.
