WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Putin's Drones Intrude on Poland, and NATO Scrambles Jets
Sep 16, 2025
In this discussion, guests Kate Batchelder-Odell and Jillian Melcher, both editorial board members at The Wall Street Journal, delve into recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace. They explore whether these actions are a calculated provocation from Putin and what it means for NATO's response. The conversation highlights the challenges of deterrence and the complexities of military support for Ukraine. They also touch on potential sanctions against Russian energy, underscoring the urgency for unified responses from the West.
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Deliberate Test Of NATO Deterrence
- Russia's drone incursion into Poland appears intentional and serves as a test of NATO's response and deterrence.
- Putin may aim to sap Western air-defense resources and prepare the battlefield for further attacks on Ukraine.
Drone Cost Asymmetry Threat
- Cheap, mass-produced Russian drones create an asymmetry by overwhelming costly Western air defenses.
- NATO risks depleting scarce, expensive interceptors shooting down thousands of low-cost drones.
Adopt Scalable Counter-Drone Tools
- Invest in cheaper interceptors, electronic warfare, and jamming to counter mass drone attacks.
- Prioritize technological solutions that scale affordably rather than relying solely on expensive missiles.