{"id":64874,"date":"2019-03-13T21:06:44","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T21:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/03\/13\/russian-aggression-on-the-rise-in-the-balkans-army-four-star-says\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:05:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:05:54","slug":"russian-aggression-on-the-rise-in-the-balkans-army-four-star-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2019\/03\/13\/russian-aggression-on-the-rise-in-the-balkans-army-four-star-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Russian aggression on the rise in the Balkans, Army four-star says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The general leading the U.S. European Command told Congress that Russian belligerence<\/a> and especially its meddling<\/a> in the Balkans have increased in recent months but also assured political leaders that U.S. military forces in the region are at the \u201chighest readiness rate\u201d since he took command three years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti testified alongside Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Kathryn Wheelbarger before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four-star noted that he is concerned about the Russian military modernization<\/a> program and U.S. efforts to keep up and outpace their advances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, that U.S. force readiness is \u201cabsolutely better,\u201d than it was three years ago, crediting that to both funding and a renewed focus by the Defense Department as readiness is a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\t