- For seven decades, the NATO alliance has practiced collective defense and deterrence.
- NATO's most "powerful weapon," according to Jim Townsend with the Center for a New American Security, is the "unity of the alliance.
- NATO needs to prepare for a high-end fight as Russia modernizes, pursuing hypersonic cruise missiles and other new systems, another expert said.
For seven decades, the NATO alliance has practiced collective defense and deterrence against evolving international threats, and over the years, its capabilities have changed accordingly.
NATO's most "powerful weapon," according to Jim Townsend with the Center for a New American Security, is the "unity of the alliance," but the individual allies also possess hard-hitting capabilities that could be called upon were it to face high-level aggression.
Heather Conley with the Center for Strategic and International Studies believes that Russia is likely to continue to press the alliance through low-end influence and cyberwarfare operations. Still, she explained to Business Insider, NATO needs to be seriously contemplating a high-end fight as Russia modernizes, pursuing hypersonic cruise missiles and other new systems.
So, what does that fight look like?
"I've always likened it to a potluck dinner," Townsend told Business Insider. "If NATO has this potluck dinner, what are the kinds of meals, kind of dishes that allies could bring that would be most appreciated?"
"If a host is looking to invite someone who is going to bring the good stuff, they are for sure going to invite the United States," he explained, adding that "in all categories, the US leads."
Nonetheless, the different dinner guests bring a variety of capabilities to the table. Here's some highlights of the many powerful weapons NATO could bring to bear against Russia.