Login
iscover
US Naval Forces in Europe along with NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command have raised growing concerns about Russia and China’s whole-of-government approach to challenging the international rules-based order.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
US Navy Admiral James Foggo told the participants of a webinar sponsored by the International Institute of Strategic Studies that China is actively working in Europe and Africa to subvert the international rules-based infrastructure that has maintained peace since the end of World War II.
China's whole-of-government approach has expanded out of the Indo-Pacific into the Arctic, Europe and Africa. In this region China is conducting unsafe intercepts of aircraft and ships, he said. It is threatening nations.
China has established an overseas military base in the Horn of Africa, and is looking to control other ports.
ADM Foggo explained, "China is purchasing news outlets and entertainment companies to push its propaganda and erase any criticism against its government ... [China] is restricting information about the coronavirus and donating equipment and personnel, even in Europe as a way to show that it is a world leader."
The Chinese One Belt, One Road initiative combines economic, diplomatic, military and political arms to change the international rules-based architecture. They are offering financial relief and opportunities to nations, especially in Africa, and then using that to influence the governments.
"This type of influence is a security concern, and it could be used to restrict access to key seaports and airport facilities while providing access to sensitive government and military information through the technology of state-owned and state-controlled enterprises," ADM Foggo added.
In the past decade a lot has changed. Ten years ago, it was possible for US officials to envision working with China and Russia.
But that was before Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine. That was before China started building and fortifying islands in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
That was before both nations began a huge military build-up, and before both nations conducted cyber operations against other nations. Finally, that was before Russia and China meddled in domestic politics.
ADM Foggo explained, "China has even labelled itself as a 'near Arctic country'. NATO can no longer ignore China's activities in Europe. Things like 5G — the Trojan horse. Buying port infrastructure, and the One Belt, One Road initiative."
ADM Foggo's responsibility spans from the north pole to South Africa, from the middle of the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, Black, Barents, Caspian and Baltic seas. There are 93 countries in this region with 23 per cent of the world's population.
The admiral gave a virtual tour of the area of operations beginning with the north. The US has long been an Arctic nation — it was Navy Rear Admiral Robert Peary who led the first expedition to reach the north pole.
Russia, with its long Arctic coast, is aggressively pursuing its interests in the region. They are building new ice breakers and arming them with offensive weaponry with Russian forces now re-occupying old Soviet-era bases.
The North Atlantic is an integral part of the name of the most successful military alliance in history.
ADM Foggo believes NATO is involved in the Fourth Battle of the Atlantic. The first battle was World War I, the second during World War II and the third being the Cold War.
Last year, unclassified sources indicated there were 10 Russian submarines underway in the North Atlantic. This is a lot even when compared with Cold War sailings, he said.
Russia has also already earmarked five new attack submarines for the Northern Fleet. The Admiral next discussed the Black Sea and upholding international law and norms in that strategic body of water. American and NATO warships routinely conduct patrols in the Black Sea. Last year, there were around 240 days of presence in the Black Sea.
ADM Foggo explained, "[The Eastern Mediterranean] is becoming one of the most kinetic places in the world. Routine violations of sovereign airspace and dangerously … unsafe intercepts have become standard operating procedure for Russia."
