Former CIA chief warns of Russian military actions on German soil

Russia is becoming more and more of a threat to Europe: the explosive drone at Leipzig airport, the impact of a Russian missile in Poland, a drone crash in Romania and repeated airspace violations in the Baltics. For former US Defense Secretary and ex-CIA chief Leon Panetta, these are warning signs that Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin is systematically testing Europe's defense lines.

In an interview with Bild, Panetta himself no longer wants to rule out a horror scenario: Russian military actions on German soil. “NATO must be extremely vigilant,” he warns. “Russia will continue to try to test the alliance’s defenses – that is the reality!”

Above all, Moscow wants to check whether the West really stands by its obligation to provide assistance: “Putin wants to know whether the USA and NATO actually stand by Article 5!” It must be made clear to Russia “that military actions against European states will not be tolerated – because we are dealing with a tyrant.”

Panetta sees two reasons for Putin's aggressiveness: The Kremlin boss is under enormous pressure in the Ukraine war - and tensions between US President Donald Trump and Europe's NATO partners could further encourage him in the search for new diversionary fronts. “Putin reacts to weakness, and if he senses weakness in NATO and the USA, he will continue to provoke and strike,” warns Panetta. The West must draw clear red lines.

US role in Ukraine war “ambiguous”

Panetta also sharply criticized Washington in the Ukraine war, saying Trump was acting “ambivalently”. “This is a moment when the United States must do everything it can to give Ukraine the weapons, air defense systems and support it needs,” he said. But due to the lack of weapons, NATO and the USA can currently “just stand there and watch”.

Panetta's judgment on the Iran war is even harsher. “The United States never really had a clear goal in this war, no discernible strategy, and certainly no end plan.” The conflict is stuck in a stalemate: “Both sides are stuck.” Iran now appears to be strategically strengthened and believes that it can achieve its most important goals, particularly in controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz as the ultimate means of pressure

By blocking the important oil route, Tehran could practically "hold a gun to the US's head" during negotiations, says Panetta: The US economic blockade is also hitting the mullahs' regime hard. But Washington currently seems “paralyzed in many ways.” Panetta: “The only real leverage we have left is to drop bombs.”

But even this military leverage is becoming weaker. Stocks of Patriot, THAAD and other air defense missiles are low. Panetta warns of global consequences: “Larger adversaries such as China and Russia could exploit this vulnerability.” He also sharply criticizes the extremely long missions of US warships like the “Abraham Lincoln”: This damages the morale of the soldiers, the maintenance of the ships and the operational readiness. His verdict: “There is no excuse for this.”