Trump Opens Window for Putin to Test NATO as U.S. War Burns 1,500 Patriot Missiles
Updated
Updated · Rolling Stone · Aug 17
Trump Opens Window for Putin to Test NATO as U.S. War Burns 1,500 Patriot Missiles
2 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · Aug 17
Summary
Analysts warn Trump’s hostility toward NATO and the U.S. entanglement in Iran have created a near-term opening for Putin to probe alliance unity, potentially through a limited incursion against a small member such as Latvia or Estonia.
A leaked U.S. intelligence assessment said Russia could stage such a move to split the alliance, while experts say the bigger risk is not NATO losing outright but allies facing unacceptable costs if Washington hesitates.
Air defense is the clearest vulnerability: the U.S. fired about 1,500 Patriot interceptors in 39 days against Iran, leaving roughly 800 in stockpiles, while Russia is producing around 60 Iskander missiles a month.
NATO has reinforced its eastern flank with nine multinational battlegroups and constant air patrols, but analysts say protecting European cities from Russian ballistic strikes would still require early U.S. intervention and years to rebuild interceptor depth.
The concern lands as Trump’s team reviews U.S. military commitments to Europe through December and presses allies with a reported loyalty test, deepening doubts over the American guarantee that underpins Article 5.