Canadians Angry About Russian Bomber

The night before President Obama's visit to Ottowa last week, Canadian fighter jets were sent out to intercept a Russian bomber flying in international airspace.  The jets told the bomber to turn around, and it complied before entering North American airspace.  The Canadians claim that the bomber was headed towards Canadian airspace, and that they were given no warning of the flight.  Furthermore, some claim that the timing of the flight was intentional, with Canadian security focused on the arrival of President Obama.  The Russians contend that it was a routine flight that NORAD had been informed of.  These types of flights off the coast of North America were a common occurrence until the end of the Cold War.  They ceased in the 90's, only to be resumed a few years ago as Russia pursued a more aggressive foreign policy.  The article suggests that perhaps this increased tension is related to the competition over Arctic resources in the future.  The Canadian Army says that it plans to build a training center and a deep water port in the future.  With Russia laying claim to much of the Arctic Sea, the potential for conflict is already rearing its head.

In light of this article I can't help but think that Russia is still stuck in a balance of power mentality. Unannounced flights off the coast of Canada seem like an antagonistic policy for peace time, but the Russians haven't hesitated in routinely making them.  Likewise, the Canadian government seems just as eager to capitalize on the potential resources of the Arctic; albeit less reckless.  I think that more resources should be poured in to better definitions of what can be claimed to avoid a big war in the future.