NATO’s balancing act: Deter a militant Russia without provoking a fight

As Russian forces invaded Ukraine last week to discourage the former Soviet republic – and any other countries that might be watching – from joining NATO, the Western alliance’s leaders redoubled their efforts to avert inadvertent hostilities that could lead to World War III.

Accomplishing this goal involves a tricky balancing act of showing the resolve to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression while also trying to tamp down tensions following his veiled threats to use nuclear force against nations that “interfere” with his offensive.

Western leaders are endeavoring to do this through a combination of “tripwire” troops and clear messaging: Even as they announced