Why is NATO on high alert?

 

"What will this next week bring? Will cooler heads prevail, or will we move one step closer to the edge? After the carnage left over from WW II, I can't imagine any nation having the stomach for another Euro wide war. But then there is Putin." 

Why in the world is NATO on high alert? Maybe the highest alert they have been on in decades. Why? A short answer - Russia. After what has happened with Ukraine, where with no provocation Russia decided to attack and conquer Ukraine, NATO has zero trust in Russia. The fact that some intel has picked up that Russia wants to take a run at NATO, is enough to send the alert levels at NATO sky high. Is this a whole lot of nothing to get all worked up about, or is this possibly the start of World War III?

Sweeden has sent some troops and Gripen fighter jets to Finland to bolster up their very long border with Russia. Poland, who was scheduled to receive some F-35 fighter jets later this year, received them early this week. Why? 5th generation jets will be handy for Poland to have if push comes to shove with Russia. And this week, Russia sank a commercial vessel in NATO waters. Why do that? Why keep sending drones over NATO airspace? Could it be that Putin is sending a signal? Itching for a fight? We are coming for you NATO. 

I have said this before. If Russian did not have nukes, they would be the thinnest of all paper tigers. But they do have nukes. Thousands of them. Then to really help stir the pot from NATO, Macron of France (who cannot stand Putin), told the press a few days ago just how weak of a leader Putin is. As you can see, all the ingredients are in this cauldron called Europe for a nasty confrontation. And the problem with today's warfare, is it can go from a single bullet being fired to an exchange of nuclear missiles in a jiffy. Start - finish - over - really over.

What about the United States? Even though some forces have been drawn down from NATO (mostly Germany at this point), the US still has tens of thousands of troops spread all over Europe. However, should things become hotter with this dispute between Russia and NATO, I would look for some augmentation back to some select areas of Europe. Like Poland. We do have a joint base in Poland, and having our best and brightest over there in times of trouble might be a wise move.

What will this next week bring? Will cooler heads prevail, or will we move one step closer to the edge? After the carnage left over from WW II, I can't imagine any nation having the stomach for another Euro wide war. But then there is Putin. The man with nothing to lose right now. The man who still feels he will be a part of Russian history by making Russia great again. Good luck with that one Vladimir. The only part of human history you might take part in - is the final chapter.