By Han Xudong, professor at the Strategy Teaching and Research Office with the National Defence University PLA China
The United States' recent actions to build an anti-missile system in Europe has caught much attention from Russia.
A ceremony was held to celebrate the Aegis Ashore missile defense System being certified for operation in Deveselu, Romania on May 12, followed by starting the construction of a second anti-missile system in Poland the next day.
Both the US and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) have claimed the system can track and intercept missiles launched by "hooligan countries," but claim it serves as no threat to Russia.
Yet, Russia President Vladimir Putin declared it was breaking the international security system that would launch a new arms race, which would provoke Moscow. Accordingly, Russia will adjust its current strategies to reform its army to reduce harm from potential threats.
Russia's activities include a tough counterattack mechanism against the Ukrainian and Syrian crises, along with its deployment of progressive missiles to deal with Syria crisis, which would provoked Washington's resolution to accelerate its shield program.
NATO's eastward expansion enables the US to keep its European allies under control. Building a reliable missile defense system is an important tool to strengthen the faith of US' allies, which is also an internal motive for the move.
With a speed-up of consolidation for its leading role in the European security order, Washington has adjusted its global strategy to focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
When Ukraine got split up and the Crimeans had voted to annex with Russia, Washington started to worry about its dominance in Europe.
To confront such threats and uncertainties, the US had deployed more troops to stations in Europe and had quickened construction of the missile defense system to curb actions Moscow might deploy against Europe.
The ultimate aim is to strengthen its European strategy and to seek dominance in the Asia-Pacific. The US' missile defense system is an essential link for a "containment arc" on the edge zone of the Eurasian continent.
Right now in the Arctic region, Washington has accelerated its fight for dominance against Moscow, propelling Sweden to join NATO, so as to enlarge NATO's defense perimeter north.
More military forces have been stationed in Eastern Europe, increasing the frequency of joint military drills, and upgrading combat-readiness for units.
Under the banner of striking terrorism, Washington has added more troops to the Middle East. The US is enlarging its military presence in South Asia by strengthening relations with India via a logistics agreement.
With five air force bases in the Philippines, Washington has won a guarantee to expand its military influence in Southeast Asia. By supporting Japan and South Korea to develop military strength, the US has the advantage to use the two countries for its own good.
From this "containment arc," it's not difficult to determine that the US' accelerating missile defense system construction stands would be an important step to expedite a buddy system led by Washington over Eurasia to restrain Beijing and Moscow.
The defensive maneuver by the US is intended for military offensive purposes, which would likely trigger a military rebound from China and Russia.
Grand-scale construction of Washington's missile defense system in Europe would incur an arms race between the US and Russia.
Han Xudong, professor at the Strategy Teaching and Research Office with the National Defence University PLA China
( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
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