Russia could invade a NATO country, if a former CIA boss is to be believed.
Relations between the West and Russia are at a low point right now, and David Petraeus seems to think that we could be on the brink of war.
The former CIA chief has spoken out against the likes of President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and with Russia recently unleashing another strike on Ukraine, he fears that we could be on the verge of something serious.
He spoke at the Policy Exchange think tank in London recently, suggesting that Putin aims to topple Ukraine and have a 'puppet leader', and that it's only a matter of time before he targets another NATO country.
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"Once that's done, you are going to see them focus on one of the Baltic states. Lithuania has featured prominently in his speeches, and we should have listened a lot more," he claimed.
But what would happen if he actually started a war with another country?
Well, while NATO is considering the possibilities of an 'all-out war', there's a thought that Russia will use 'less obvious techniques' to destabilise NATO countries, report Newsweek.
They add that it could include a 'limited incursion' to nearby states, or 'hybrid warfare tactics'.
According to Edward Lucas in The Times, the nation would target 'energy infrastructure, computer networks or transport systems: the nerves and arteries of modern society'.
It would also utilise 'spies, soldiers and hired thugs', though it is suggested that this is already happening.
NATO allies may soon respond to these moves from the Kremlin, as Labour cabinet minister Pat McFadden claimed last month that Russia will launch cyber attacks on NATO's allies - in what is a 'real' threat.
It is believed that Russia is not ready to wage war on NATO, despite military assistance from North Korea, with an all-out war a step too far.
Last week, the UK's chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, stated: "There is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom. And that is the same for the whole of NATO."
He added that Moscow 'knows the response would be overwhelming, whether conventional or nuclear'.
Al Jazeera claim that NATO 'would quickly prevail' if any war were to take place, due to the number of troops and quality of equipment.
It's believed that NATO will still 'pack a punch' when it comes to a war with Russia, with ally nations simply having more strength in numbers than Russia.
Numerous NATO countries are heavily investing in their military; however, according to Newsweek, Western Europe is slightly behind in these investments.
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, World News
Joshua Nair