That’s exactly the issue. If Putin provokes a measured reaction it’s a win, if NATO does nothing it’s also a win
The defender is fundamentally at a disadvantage with all or nothing clauses like article 5
The defender is fundamentally at a disadvantage with all or nothing clauses like article 5
That's why USA is bombing Iran without everyone else bombing Iran. Article 5 hasn't been invoked.
What would this hypothetical response look like?
This is a fundamental principle of NATO as a defensive alliance, have always been and will continue to be.
Now you have voices, coming mostly from outside, that are trying to make this out to be a bad thing and to show some kind og weakness in the alliance, when it is one of the core tenants of the alliance itself.
Principles, doctrines, ideas aren’t a response (or even an active decision to not respond)
Yes im asking what that response would be.
Say Russia lobs some ordnance at Poland. Kills a kid. Claims it was an accident and definitely totally won’t happen again.
What in your mind does a response look like? Find a Russian kid? March on Moscow? Nukes? Air strike? Angry letter?
Obviously it’s a test and there is a need to push back but how is the tricky bit. Anything you do would be an overtly action against grey zone deniable action.