U.S. Marines, Sailors Flex Their Amphibious Muscles in Russia’s Backyard

...“This year’s Sea Breeze exercise is definitely a signal to Russia,” said Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments who previously served as special assistant to the chief of naval operations and director of his Commander’s Action Group. “It is in part to demonstrate to Russia that U.S. and NATO forces will still operate adjacent to Russian territory and forces despite Russia's protests. Also, the situation in eastern Ukraine is reaching a new boiling point and may result in a more intense conflict erupting again this fall. If followed up with clear statements from the U.S. about how the U.S. will respond to new Russian aggression, exercises like this are a way to indicate to Russia American resolve.”