Strict Maritime Observances a Thing of The Past

Submitted by M Tovey (United States), Mar 4, 2021 at 13:57

Looking at this from a strategic perspective, your analysis does present some merit; but in your own words, the practicality of it is already tactically compromised. That there is already a Russian presence in Tartus and is likely supported by other 'assets' non immediately seen, any attempt to block the ages old Russian desires to maintain a 'warm water' presence coming out of the Black Sea is tantamount to 'going to guns.' And while not necessarily a circumstance that could lead to a modern day 'Jutland,' the ensuing engagement would lead to a definitely debilitating circumstance that would not be all that hard to believe could spark the greater global conflict. Thermopylae is in the vicinity (east-west contentions otherwise notwithstanding) and presents a possibility of replicating further disasters.
In actuality, any Russian and Turkish alliances will ultimately lead to devastating confrontations later, but this may not necessarily be the time to get that action started, especially not for the reasons at hand. However, this just might be the thing that could get Turkey into the territorial trouble the EU/NATO could use to exorcise the bane of the European community and either get them to tow a proper diplomatic line or be banished into a arcane remembrance of Ottoman ambitions that need to be ostracized, Russian help being expected from a similarly isolated threat to the European theater. Who knows how that might turn out?

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