Our nation’s transition of power goes forward with a promising start today between our President and President-elect demonstrating respect for each other and the Presidency. Stability, strength and unity must be shown throughout the world by these two leaders, from different backgrounds, different viewpoints and different political affiliations.

One country, of many, in the world that clearly needs to comprehend the unity and strength of the United States Presidency during this transition is the one that could seek to take the most advantage of it, Russia. Continual demonstrations of accelerated aggressive Russian actions to change the status quo and destabilize American influence have escalated during President Obama’s Administration. Of the most concerning today, is Russia’s passive and active military activity buildup and exercises around and in the Baltic States. Russia’s recent deployments of SS-26 missiles in Kaliningrad that can strike Berlin, Poland, all of the Baltics, parts of Germany and the Nordic countries – as well as presenting a denial of air access to NATO and U.S. Air Forces for the defense of those NATO countries. This strategic and well planned move by Russia is further compounded by a tremendous U.S. and NATO air and missile defense gap of capability in Europe to defend against it. Thereby making the region unstable and vulnerable to Russian power and influence, with its very recent history of taking parts of Ukraine at will.

President Obama and President-elect Trump need to show strong resolve together to address Russia and take away its calculus of power projection into Europe during this critical time of transition.

One of a few tools to enable and enhance stability, deference and security for Europe within the framework of the defensive mission of NATO is addressing the air and missile defense capability gap.

We have enclosed a link to a one page overview to address the Air and Missile Defense Gap in NATO Europe.

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