CIA secret mission and stopping Putin: Europe prepares for war

A wave of security panic sweeps Europe following a large-scale Belarusian military exercise near the Suwałki Gap. Britain calls on citizens to stockpile canned food and water, Germany prepares hospitals for a war scenario, and Poland warns of Russian missile attacks that would be presented as accidents. In the background: an American plan to establish a permanent base in Poland, a secret mission of the CIA director to Moscow, and serious concern that Putin will test NATO's willingness to defend the Baltic states.

An unprecedented wave of security panic is sweeping European capitals following a large-scale Belarusian military exercise near the Suwałki Gap, the narrow border strip between Poland and Lithuania considered NATO's weak point. Britain has ordered citizens to stockpile canned food and drinking water, and the British Chief of the Defence Staff warns that the kingdom faces its most dangerous period in decades. Germany has begun preparing hospitals for mass casualties, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of decisive moments. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Moscow could launch drone and missile attacks against NATO countries and disguise them as accidents. In France, President Emmanuel Macron convened a secret intelligence briefing. Even Switzerland adopted a new national security strategy. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced progress toward establishing a permanent US military base in Poland, two weeks after sending the CIA director on a secret mission to Moscow. The main concern is that Russia, together with Belarus, will carry out a limited invasion of the Suwałki Gap and claim that any military response would trigger a nuclear war, in order to test NATO's mutual defense commitment. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made clear that an attack would meet a devastating response.