Usa Vs Russia

The dramatic video of a Russian jet buzzing and possibly hitting a US drone over Ukraine vividly demonstrated the dangers of a conflict between the world’s two biggest nuclear powers. Fortunately, the incident did not escalate into a full-scale war, but it showed that both sides recognise the need to avoid an accidental escalation of the crisis.

However, there is little doubt that a direct military clash between the United States and Russia would be catastrophic for humanity. US-Russian relations have been strained ever since the end of World War II. Many of the problems stem from a sense in Moscow that the West is pushing it aside or at least failing to take its legitimate interests into account.

Since the annexation of Crimea and the intervention in eastern Ukraine, Russia’s military posture has changed dramatically. It has developed a new generation of missiles with the capability to reach targets in the continental United States and beyond. In addition, it has increased the number of ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and moved to a more aggressive posture in the Baltic Sea region.

The US has far more air bases, fighter jets and bombers than Russia, but it is not invincible on land, where the country can deploy more tanks and artillery. It is also better equipped at sea with more destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers. Moreover, its defence spending is far greater than that of Russia’s. However, a US-Russian conflict would likely result in civilian casualties on both sides that could be catastrophic.