Russia and China Poking Fingers

In case you haven't noticed, both China and Russia are using the same kinds of tactics against the US military.  I doubt that this is a coincidence.

The Russians are harassing US ships by flying low over them.  It makes for breathtaking video of low flying aircraft screaming over the top of a ship barely missing it, or a Russian fighter getting really close to a surveillance aircraft.  [http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/18/politics/russia-jets-buzz-u-s-ship-rules-of-engagement/]  The Chinese fly similarly close to a US surveillance aircraft in international waters.   There is nothing new about this conduct, but having both of them doing it at the same time is new.

Both sides are doing it during sensitive negotiations with the US.  This seems to have caught on after China sent ships through US seas during President Obama's visit to Alaska, and during his visit to Vietnam.  Make a distraction so the negotiators have something else to think about during the talks.  There are several reasons for wanting to do this, but the obvious one is to stick a finger in the eye of the US delegations.  It is a clear sign of disrespect.  The general approach is to show those signs as the negotiations are about to start.