US urges NATO allies to prepare in case Russia attacks

Key Points:

• The U.S. warns NATO allies to accelerate defense spending and military readiness in response to leaked intelligence suggesting Russia could launch a limited attack on a NATO member within a few years, contradicting previous assessments of a longer timeline.
• Russia, currently focused on the war in Ukraine, has rapidly expanded its defense production and operates on a war footing, while NATO countries remain largely in a peacetime economy, prompting calls for increased investment and preparedness.
• CIA Director John Ratcliffe's recent secret visit to Moscow, where he reportedly warned Russia against attacking NATO, heightened concerns despite Russian denials of any such plans.
• Experts and European officials believe Russia has already conducted hybrid attacks on NATO members, including drone incidents in Germany, Romania, and Estonia, signaling ongoing testing of the alliance without full-scale direct conflict.
• While Russia is unlikely to attack NATO imminently due to heavy losses in Ukraine, analysts caution that if the conflict slows and Russia regroups, it could develop the capability to strike NATO countries, particularly in the Baltic region, within several years.