ABSTRACT
Europe faces a new and daunting security environment, with significant implications for US national security. Russia is blatantly attempting to change the rules and principles that serve as the foundation of European law and order. The defence of Europe depends on two basic lines of operations. The first is the strength of military power in Europe, including US forces forward stationed, exercised and ready to respond. The other line of operation relates to the North Atlantic Ocean and the ability to ensure that US reinforcements can reach Europe in the event of a major confrontation. The North Atlantic is North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) lifeblood; it is the transatlantic link. Russia has developed offensive long-range, high-precision capabilities and is building high-end maritime capabilities that could deny NATO members freedom of manoeuvre at sea. NATO must put the North Atlantic Ocean back on its agenda.
