The Russians have christened a Santa sub:
Russia is naming the fourth of its Borei class SSBN (ballistic missile carrying nuclear submarines) Syvatitel Nikolay (Saint Nicholas). That's the same Saint Nicholas who serves as the model for Santa Claus in the West.
So when does the Krolyek Paschee set sail?
UPDATE: The US Navy is looking north:
By midcentury, the Navy could be faced with providing maritime security for a new ice-free Arctic and a commercial shipping boom on par with the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca, said Rear Adm. David Titley, commander of Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
"As the ice melts back … how do we work this as a seasonal-type area?" said Titley, who heads the Navy’s Task Force Climate Change. "I think this is an area that is going to be very, very important to the Navy in the 21st century."
The unique environment of the Arctic Circle deserves is own command.
UPDATE: The Russians have a new song for the boat:
You better watch out
You better not flee
Better not vote
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is nuking your town
He's making empire
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's Western and nice
Santa Claus is nuking your town
He sees you when you're resisting
He knows when you're NATO
He knows if you've been Orange or Rose
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not flee
Better not vote
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is nuking your town
Santa Claus is nuking your town
The kids will love it!
