>> That's how the alliance markets itself, but that's not how everyone in the world, especially their potential adversaries, perceives it. Not since 1990, at l

>> That's how the alliance markets itself, but that's not how everyone in the world, especially their potential adversaries, perceives it. Not since 1990, at least. Cold War era defensive structures were dismantled when Warsaw Pact dissolved and Russia never established any comparable defensive structures on its own borders. In terms of military doctrine, composition and placement of armed forces, preparations of border defenses, early warning systems etc, Russia has not prepared for invasion in any way. Why, if they perceive this as a threat like you say? With virtually all of Russia's fighting force in Ukraine, the road to Russia is wide open. There isn't even a wire fence on Russian side of border with NATO countries Norway, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia! Where do you see any signs of belief in threat from NATO to Russia? Countries that border Russia, in contrast, have made extensive preparations to fight off another Russian invasion.