Russia, China try to outflank US 'war winning' focus

Six days before Russian drones entered Polish airspace on Sept 9, a US B-2 stealth bomber flew across the North Atlantic and sank a target ship as part of military drills, escorted to its target by Norwegian F-35 stealth jets.

- Peter Apps

The US military first publicised the use of precision laser-guided bombs against warships during 2024's "Rim of the Pacific" military drills, sinking the former US Navy assault ship Tarawa. This was widely seen as a not-so-subtle warning of America's ability to destroy Chinese aircraft carriers and landing craft in the event of any conflict or Taiwan invasion.

This time, the demonstration took place in the Kremlin's backyard, where the Atlantic meets the Arctic, with Washington's newest and largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald Ford, also exercising in the region.

There were also a host of other Nato-led military drills in mainland Europe designed in part to coincide with Russia's own "Zapad" exercise taking place in Belarus.

Such deliberate shows of force have long been used by the Pentagon to showcase US military might, reassure allies and keep foes deterred - but it is a strategy that may now be yielding diminishing effects.

By sending drones into Poland and then jets into Estonian airspace a few days later, Russia has left Nato battling suggestions that it lacks both the will and resources to keep Europe properly defended.

It is a narrative further fuelled by the appearance of multiple unidentified drones over multiple airports and other locations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and beyond - and, perhaps equally seriously, jitters among European and Pacific allies that the US no longer stands fully behind its long-term partners.

Amid mounting tensions with both Moscow and Beijing, most major US allies are also stepping up preparations for major warfare. The challenge, however, is that Russia and China are also simultaneously working to achieve their ends through means just short of conflict - with suspected Russian drone incursions this week just the latest example.

THREATEN, DIVIDE, DESTABILISE