There have been several “aggressive interceptions” of U.S. military aircraft in areas of concern to Russia – including one over the Baltic Sea just days before the summit commenced. Stratfor’s military analysis team discusses the reasons for these “close encounters” – and why they’ve been increasing ...

Among the more interesting geopolitical news items of the past week, the NATO-Russia Council met for the first time in nearly two years in Brussels. The group suspended its sessions in 2014 amid the flare-up in Ukraine and tensions over Russia’s claims to the Crimean Peninsula. The meeting – which spilled over an hour more than planned – dissolved without resolving any matters. In a statement afterward, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the dialogue had done nothing to change the “profound and persistent disagreements” between Russia and the NATO states. The agenda included (likely vociferous) discussion about how to reduce close military encounters involving aircraft. There have been several “aggressive interceptions” of U.S. military aircraft in areas of concern to Russia – including one over the Baltic Sea just days before the summit commenced.  Stratfor’s military analysis team discusses the reasons for these “close encounters” – and why they’ve been increasing – in a piece titled "Why Russia Harasses U.S. Aircraft.” Read it for free on Stratfor.com. Related Content for Stratfor Subscribers: Special Series: Russia and the West Collide How Ukraine is Obstructing Russia in Transdniestria In Ukraine, the Cycle of Uncertainty Churns On