In recent days, top officials in France and Germany warned of looming confrontations between NATO and Russia. France's top general and Germany's intelligence chief both see violent conflicts short of all-out war by the end of the decade. The grim predictions come as the United States loses interest and ability when it comes to defending prosperous allies who have long hesitated to provide for their own security and instead sheltered under the American umbrella. Fortunately, despite their current enfeebled status, Europeans are still capable of countering Russia on their own if they so choose.

"Russia is a country that may be tempted to continue the war on our continent," Fabien Mandon, France's new defense chief, told legislators last week. "The first objective I have given the armed forc

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