NATO faces resilience gap amid rising threats from Russia
The head of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command has warned that the alliance lacks the long-term endurance required to sustain a drawn-out conflict with Russia, despite remaining militarily superior. Vice Admiral Mike Utley said Western militaries must prepare for the most complex security environment in decades, where hybrid warfare, cyber aggression, and conventional clashes converge.
Utley noted that the past year exposed serious weaknesses in the alliance’s readiness and logistical depth, revealing a shortfall in resilience that member states are only beginning to address. “Nations have recognized this gap and are investing in capabilities to strengthen that resilience,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg.
Spending commitments under pressure
Although NATO members pledged at the 2025 summit in The Hague to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, progress has been uneven. The plan divides the target into 3.5% for military spending and 1.5% for cybersecurity, infrastructure, and resilience initiatives.
NATO estimates that all members except Spain will meet the 2% threshold in 2025, a dramatic improvement from just three members in 2014. However, several countries, including the United Kingdom, continue to delay new budget frameworks. London is expected to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
Utley acknowledged the fiscal challenges governments face, emphasizing that defense spending must balance other national priorities. “I am a realist money is difficult and there are many competing priorities,” he said. “Defense cannot claim every penny; it’s about prioritization.”
Expanding hybrid threats
Recent security assessments reveal a sharp rise in Russian covert operations across Europe. The Associated Press has recorded more than 140 incidents since 2022 linked to Russian sabotage, disinformation, and cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
In direct response, NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry in early 2025 to protect undersea cables and pipelines in the Baltic region. These efforts coincide with the alliance’s new maritime strategy, which defines Russia and terrorism as the two primary threats to allied security.
Despite ongoing concerns about readiness and sustainability, Utley expressed confidence in NATO’s trajectory. “It is moving in the right direction,” he said. “Allies are taking this seriously and acting accordingly.”
