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AP
The new front line: NATO and Russia

NATO defence ministers today will unpick a taboo. In 1997 the alliance promised Russia not to place “substantial” forces in the new member states, once part of the Kremlin’s European empire. But, Western officials point out, that pledge was dependent on relations remaining friendly—and Russia’s behaviour in Ukraine and its menacing manoeuvres in the Baltics have rendered it void. Now NATO is mulling American plans to position tanks and other heavy weaponry in the Baltics and elsewhere, plus the creation of a new rapid-response force. Neither initiative would alone repel a full-scale Russian assault. But both would help if the Kremlin were to attempt another bout of tricksy “hybrid warfare” in, say, Latvia. They also conspicuously affirm the alliance’s commitment to mutual self-defence. Mr Putin, who frequently complains about NATO’s alleged duplicity, will doubtless squeal once more. He has only himself to blame.

Jun 24th 2015
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