Military provocations prove Putin is playing with fire

 (CNN)Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing a very dangerous game. On July 4, while Americans celebrated Independence Day, a cinematic, tension-filled drama unfolded along America's western skies. In two separate incidents, U.S. fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian bombers approaching the country's airspace; first near the California coast, then just outside U.S. airspace over Alaska.

The aircraft's presence was clearly both a warning for the United States, its allies and Russia's neighbors, and also a bit of bravado to please Putin's Russian fans. It is also part of a worrying trend.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/10/opinions/ghitis-putin-playing-with-fire/