Politico reports that a wave of drone incursions, assassination attempts, and sabotage across Europe has security officials increasingly arguing the conflict with Russia has moved beyond 'hybrid' status, even as EU leaders resist the label.
A NATO official and a former NATO assistant secretary-general are cited defending continued use of 'hybrid,' while unnamed EU officials say avoiding the word 'war' spares economies from spooked investors and higher insurance premiums.
The report notes CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow this week to warn against strikes on NATO members, while one senior EU official insisted, anonymously, that European services see no risk of direct attack.
The full dispatch is available from the source below.