Russians Hot for Cold War Habit

Russia's air force has revived the Soviet-era practice of flying to areas policed by NATO and the US, Reuters reports. A Tu-95 bomber "exchanged smiles" today with American pilots who raced to track it as it flew over Guam. As during the Cold War, Russian officials called the incident a routine flexing of military muscle.

The bomber fleet, a mainstay of Russia's long-range nuclear arsenal, has enjoyed increased funding with the country in an economic boom under President Vladimir Putin. A Russian general said the West would have to come to terms with his country's military resurgence, terming the mission "business as usual." (More Russia stories.)