RantCrush Top 5: June 7, 2017

A Russian fighter jet intercepted an American, nuclear-capable bomber plane over the Baltic Sea yesterday, drawing many comparisons to the Cold War. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the U.S. plane was seen flying over neutral water but alongside the Russian border. A Russian jet was sent to “escort” the bomber away from the border. Russia called the move by the U.S. “disrespectful” and indicated that this could complicate the tensions between the two countries. The U.S. military just said the plane was over international water and gave no further comments. “The fact that NATO forces are converging near Russia’s borders and carrying out military exercises supported by strategic bombers from the USA capable of carrying nuclear weapons hardly helps de-escalate tensions in Europe,” said Russian Foreign Ministry official Mikhail Ulyanov, according to Russian state news agency Sputnik.

A Russian fighter jet intercepted a US bomber over the Baltic Sea in international waters, the Pentagon confirms https://t.co/ce2lLCz0fx pic.twitter.com/YYPOQpXpiR

— CNN (@CNN) June 6, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.