EUROPE — On October 12, U.S. Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command, said at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland, that NATO is ready to fight tonight if attacked.
He described a theory of victory that would block an initial attack, blunt any continued advance, and break the attacking force and the systems that support it if required, so that any assault on an ally proves utterly futile.
Grynkewich stated that conflict is not imminent or inevitable. He said the alliance is unlikely to be surprised and would detect an attack in time to assess it and position forces.
The remarks form part of the public presentation of a defensive concept aligned with the Deterrence and Defense of the Euro-Atlantic Area approach agreed by all 32 NATO allies.
Location
The remarks were issued in Warsaw, Poland, at approximately 52.23, 21.01. Warsaw lies roughly 110 miles (177 km) from the Belarus border. The choice of venue places the deterrence message in a front-line NATO capital whose territory would be directly affected by any eastern-flank contingency.
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U.S. Air Force General Alexus G. Grynkewich said at the Warsaw Security Forum on October 12 that if someone is foolish enough to attack NATO the alliance will fight and ensure any attack against any ally proves utterly futile.
He described the theory of victory as first blocking the initial attack, then blunting continued action, and breaking the enemy forces and supporting system if required.
Grynkewich stated that the alliance is ready to fight tonight if attacked but will continue preparing and training every day.
He assessed that conflict is not imminent or inevitable and that NATO does not seek war while requiring that its defensive character not be treated as weakness.
The concept rests on the Deterrence and Defense of the Euro-Atlantic Area framework and incorporates intelligence advantage, sensors, autonomous systems and multi-domain effects drawn from recent conflicts.
