By Mike Bibb
North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- NATO"That makes the reported CIA warning particularly significant: the concern is not necessarily that Russian tanks are about to cross a NATO border, but that Moscow could increasingly use drones, sabotage, and attacks on critical infrastructure to test how far it can go without triggering a direct confrontation with the alliance." — Newsmax, Sept. 25, 2026
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Not sure about all this "Is Russia threatening NATO?" chatter. Seems to me, the Rooskies have just about all they can handle with Ukraine.
First, if Russia decided to selectively attack certain European targets, no matter how minor the damage, it is still a premediated, war-like maneuver.
Which means, according to NATO's member nations, "An attack on one NATO country, is the same as an attack on all member countries. Including, the U.S."
So, why would Russia, and President Putin, want to risk an overwhelming military response by merely teasing NATO with inconsequential drone assaults?
What's to be gained, other than to stroke the egos of various Russian officials and military generals?
Or, possibly, to see if NATO is willing to "walk-the-walk."
For all its bluster, swagger, and pretentious self-importance, Russia is an overly bloated billy goat with limited capabilities.
"But, they have nuclear weapons" you may be thinking.
True, so do several of their opponents.
"But, they're the largest country in the world" you insist.
True, but their population isn't, nor their industrial capacity.
"But, they whipped the Germans in World War Two," you argue.
Partially correct. Russia tangled with Hitler's forces on Germany's Eastern Front. After Hitler approved "Operation Barbarosa," the German military invaded Western Russia on June 22, 1941.
A massive attacking force pushed the Russians deep into their interior.
The fight soon withered as German supply lines were stretched too thin to maintain an adequate supply of men, food and armaments.
Plus, winter was arriving, inflicting additional difficulties for the Germans.
Unknowingly, Hitler had fallen into a trap of his own making.
While Germany was engaged with Allied armies and partisan fighters on multiple battle fields, and bogged down in the mire of a Russian winter, Soviet forces regrouped, counterattacked and gained the upper hand, significantly overwhelming Nazi troops.
An accomplishment aided by American Lend-Lease — a United States assistance program, in which Russia and other European countries, were provided domestic and military equipment to sustain their resistance.
This was over 80 years ago. Since then, the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics has gone the way of the dodo bird. Proving, once again, socialism didn't work then, and it doesn't work now.
Granted, there are a few European countries where a limited form of socialism is tolerated, but for the most part, the socialist plan of government isn't any more functional than when it was reinspired by Karl Marx and Freidrich Engles in 1848.
Interesting history. However, what does it have to do with today's Russia hinting it may stir up trouble in European and southern Asia regions?
Actually, Russia has done exactly that a few times in the past 45 years. Presently, their armies have been engaged in Ukraine since 2022.
Before 2022, several countries southwest of Russia wrestled with them.
In an effort to regain lost territories, Russia has invaded:
1979 — the Afghanistan War
1992 — the Abkhazian War
1992 — the Tranistria War
1994 — First Chechen War
1999 — Second Chechen War
2008 — invades Syria
2014 — invades Ukraine
2022 — invades Ukraine again
Notice, with the exception of Afghanistan and Ukraine, most of these countries are small, with equally small military forces. Nevertheless, their resistance was substantial. Especially, the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
Currently, when it is thought Russia may be thinking of poking Europe with minor jabs and punches, it is only testing the 20th Century will and stamina of NATO — vividly remembering Europe's collapse under Nazi Germany.
Coupled with Europe's over thousand-year narrative of fighting among themselves — dating back before the Vikings were roaming around. Undoubtedly, Russia is aware of this chronicled fact.
History repeats on a remarkably precise schedule.
