http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/1.749274

U.S. looks to allies to fill battle groups of some 4,000 soldiers as part of NATO's response to Moscow's annexation of Crimea amid concerns it could try a similar tactic in ex-Soviet states.

NATO will press allies on Wednesday to contribute to its biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War as the alliance prepares for a protracted quarrel with Moscow.

With Russia's*aircraft carrier heading to Syria in a show of force along Europe's shores, alliance defense ministers aim to make good on a July promise by NATO leaders to send forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland from early next year.

Read more analyses on NATO and Russia:*Is Putin planning another war in Ukraine?*|*How the Putin doctrine keeps wayward states like Syria in line*|*Hillary’s war: Can a no-fly zone over Syria work?*

The United States hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops, part of NATO's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe's ex-Soviet states.