A senior NATO commander has warned that the alliance may be compelled to adopt a preemptive strategy against Russia, a fundamental departure from its historic defensive posture. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, stated that escalating Russian sabotage campaigns across Europe are forcing a strategic reassessment.
In an interview, Admiral Dragone indicated NATO is analyzing a more proactive approach, particularly in cyber defense, moving beyond a traditionally reactive stance. He cited a pattern of incidents attributed to the Kremlin—including arson, infrastructure sabotage, cyberattacks, and drone incursions—that have targeted member states.
While cyber retaliation was noted as a readily available option, Dragone acknowledged that responding to physical acts of hybrid warfare is more complex. He suggested that, under specific conditions, a preemptive strike could be viewed as a defensive measure, though he recognized this challenges NATO's conventional norms and involves significant legal and operational questions.
The push for this strategic shift is reportedly driven largely by Eastern European members, who argue that a purely reactive policy emboldens Russia by allowing low-cost, asymmetric attacks to continue without consequence. A Baltic diplomat emphasized the need for NATO to become "more inventive" to counter the threat effectively.
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