The Atlantic: the U.S. and NATO have no plan for a coordinated Russian–Chinese attack

The United States and NATO do not possess a comprehensive strategy to effectively respond to a coordinated attack involving Russia and China, according to Simon Shuster's article in The Atlantic. This hypothetical scenario, where China invades Taiwan and Russia simultaneously strikes a NATO member in Eastern Europe, remains largely theoretical and untested.

Experts interviewed by Shuster reveal that such a coordinated attack would be difficult to conceal, yet the alliance itself lacks the capability to prepare adequately for such a large-scale conflict. Many military strategists have not extensively studied this risk, with Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, stating that his unit last examined this possibility 15 years ago and found it unfeasible due to insufficient weapons stockpiles and industrial capacity.

The United States has been preoccupied with its ongoing conflict in Iran, leading to a significant reduction in its advanced air-defense missile stockpile. Additionally, strained relations with NATO allies underscore the vulnerability of Western unity in the face of a two-front war. While the risk of such an attack has been acknowledged more frequently in recent years, the lack of detailed planning and exercises by leading research institutions in the U.S. and Europe suggests a notable gap in preparedness.