If you wanted further evidence that old wounds die hard then check this latest tension escalator between the U.S. and Russia, a Yankee official describing that simulated attack above as ‘one of the most aggressive interactions in recent memory’.

What you’re looking at are Sukhoi SU-24 warplanes, who conducted 11 passes in such close proximity to the USS Donald Cook that they created wake in the water.

Reuters reports:

“They tried to raise them (the Russian aircraft) on the radio but they did not answer,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding the U.S. ship was in international waters…

The events were reminiscent of the Cold War, when a series of close calls led to a bilateral agreement aimed at avoiding dangerous interactions at sea…

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, “This incident … is entirely inconsistent with the professional norms of militaries operating in proximity to each other in international water and international airspace.”

No surprises here but Moscow has denied any intention to attack, although that has not appeased angry U.S officials:

The U.S. military’s European Command said in a statement that “U.S. officials are using existing diplomatic channels to address the interactions, while the incidents are also being reviewed through U.S. Navy channels.”

“These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries, and could result in a miscalculation or accident that could cause serious injury or death,” it said.

Imagine Donald Trump in the Oval Office calling the U.S. reaction to something like this – hello Cold War round two.

[source:reuters]