The first one takes us to the Black Sea,a body of water surrounded by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and also Ukraine and Russia.Those last two countries have been involved in a conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014.And tensions between them rose even more after a confrontation between Russian and Ukrainian ships last month near the Kerch Strait.That's a narrow passage of water that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.Russia captured three Ukrainian ships in the encounter and now an American warship may be headed for the Black Sea.U.S. officials say this would be in response to Russia's maritime actions against Ukraine.The U.S. Navy says it routinely conducts operations in the international waters and airspace of the Black Sea.But earlier this year, a U.S. military official saysthe Navy was increasing it's presence in the area to counter the increased presence of Russia.That country's making moves of it's own in the region.In eastern Crimea, a peninsula that Russia controversially annexed from Ukraine in 2014,Russian troops recently conducted a military drill involving anti- aircraft missiles.Their country says that Ukraine is taking steps toward a military offensiveso there's a lot of international flexing taking place in this tense part of the world.A date which will live in infamy.
