NATO Commander Warns Western Homelands No Longer Safe in War

A top NATO commander said the West can no longer assume its home countries will stay safe while its militaries fight wars abroad. The growing air threat has ended that security, he told reporters.

In a serious near-peer conflict, Western nations cannot count on their homelands remaining safe while their forces operate overseas, the commander said. The statement reflects a shift in military planning as missile and drone technology spreads.

The warning comes as NATO members increase air-defense spending and revise civil-defense protocols. Several European countries have accelerated purchases of short-range air-defense systems and anti-drone equipment.

NATO has long operated under the assumption that its territory would be a sanctuary during overseas operations. The commander's remarks suggest that assumption is no longer valid. He did not specify which potential adversaries pose the greatest threat.

The alliance is scheduled to conduct a major air-defense exercise later this year, testing coordination among member states against simulated cruise-missile and drone attacks.