Photo Gallery: Searching for Deterrence

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During the Cold War, peace in Europe depended largely on mutual deterrence. Since the collapse of communism, however, Western militaries have changed focus. The Ukraine crisis has some wondering if that was a mistake. Here, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen posing with German troops in Afghanistan.

Foto: Maurizio Gambarini/ dpa

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Germany is wary about too much NATO saber rattling for fear that it could be perceived in Moscow as aggression. But Berlin has pledged to assist in increased policing flights in the Baltics and an increase in AWACS surveillance. Here, AWACS aircraft parked at a base in Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Foto: INA FASSBENDER/ REUTERS

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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has asked member states to come up with ways to increase the alliance's presence in Eastern Europe.

Foto: Virginia Mayo/ AP/dpa

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The Western military alliance had long chuckled at the poor state of the Russian military. In recent years, though, Moscow has rebuilt its armed forces and it now has capabilities that have many in the West worried.

Foto: LAURENT DUBRULE/ REUTERS

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Currently, Russia has thousands of troops stationed on Ukraine's eastern border. Here, a Ukrainian officer directs tanks during an exercise last week. Should Moscow decide to move into eastern Ukraine, it seems unlikely that the Ukrainian military would be able to put up much resistance.

Foto: VALENTYN OGIRENKO/ REUTERS