Ashton Carter vows to ‘defend U.S. interests and allies’ against Russian aggression

In addition, “we update and ideal our deterrence and defense plans in light of Russia’s behavior change”, added Mr. Carter during this forum at Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley.

Defense Chief Ash Carter on Saturday slammed Russia saying its endangering world order through its incursions in Ukraine and loose talk about nuclear weapons, and said the USA defense establishment is searching for ways to deter Russian aggression to protect US allies.

Carter said that the USA is putting its “best and newest” assets in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s claim over South China Sea and Russia’s provocation of the Baltic states.

The day after the ASEAN summit ended, Carter stood on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as the massive nuclear-powered aircraft carrier sailed through the South China Sea, enforcing the USA stance on freedom of navigation in those waters.

When a United States warship recently sailed near a Chinese-controlled artificial island in the South China Sea, it signalled the White House was finally taking a tougher stance on Chinese behaviour in the waters.

“We do not seek a cold, let alone a hot, war with Russian Federation”.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Saturday expressed concerns about the “pace and scope” of China’s land reclamation in the South China Sea.

“At sea, in the air, and in cyberspace”, Mr Carter said, “Russia has engaged in challenging activities”.

“And, most disturbing, Moscow’s nuclear saber-rattling raises questions about Russian leaders’ commitment to strategic stability, their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons and whether they respect the profound caution nuclear-age leaders showed with regard to the brandishing of nuclear weapons”. But make no mistake.

The United States is “deeply concerned” about the extent of land reclamation and the prospect of further militarization there, which could lead to a greater “risk of miscalculation or conflict”, he said.

USA officials have told The Associated Press that Russian Federation has directed parts of its military campaign against US-backed militants and other extremist groups in an effort to weaken them.

He also criticized for prolonging ‘s civil war, although he said it was possible could play a constructive role in ending the conflict.

Most of the activity over the previous year being perpetrated by China, he alleged.

Carter, returning from eight days of travel in Asia, cited several pillars of the worldwide order that he argued should be defended and strengthened: peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom from coercion, respect for state sovereignty, and freedom of navigation.

Carter said the United States was modernizing its nuclear arsenal, investing in new technologies such as drones and a new long-range bomber, as well as lasers, an electromagnetic railgun and new systems for electronic warfare.

In that region, the USA is adjusting operational plans to deter aggression and fulfil obligations to Taiwan, and undertaking contingency planning for potential natural disasters.

“These actions, which were conducted with the expressed approval of President Obama, are a display of intemperate oneupmanship by the US Navy and a vainglorious attempt to project U.S. power into the South China Sea”, said Dennis Etler, a professor of Anthropology at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California.