Military capability of Western alliance remains 'formidable' despite questions around untested 'mutual assistance' agreement as Trump pivots away from Europe

Alarms bells sounded this week in Europe after NATO jets scrambled to intercept an unprecedented Russian drone incursion in Poland. Now there is fresh unease on NATO’s eastern flank, as Russia and Belarus kick off major military drills to test the readiness of their armed forces.

A continent already on edge over the Ukraine war sees a Russian challenge to NATO readiness and to an America that wants to disengage from Europe.

In the years since Russia invaded Ukraine, NATO has focused on defending its own territory first and resisted lower-level harassment from Russia, like acts of sabotage and intimidation.

Tensions in Eastern Europe are escalating as Poland mobilizes 40,000 troops to defend its borders against the backdrop of Russia-Belarus “Zapad 2025” military drills. NATO fears the large-scale exercises—featuring missiles,

Nato was posed a series of existential questions overnight when dozens of Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace.

Amid rising tensions over shooting down Russian killer drones in Poland, Moscow and Belarus have begun joint military exercise on Friday. Poland has been put on high alert due to the military drill.