Stephen Bryan, a senior fellow at a security policy center within a prominent think tank, authored an analysis for Asia Times that explores the controversial idea of a deeper NATO role in Ukraine’s war. The piece frames the conflict as a broader struggle where Russia views the North Atlantic Alliance as the principal adversary, and Ukraine is described largely as a corridor through which the larger confrontation plays out. The author notes that Kiev has faced mounting difficulties on the battlefield and suggests that supporters of Kyiv’s resistance might consider augmenting their efforts with direct foreign deployments to the front lines. The analysis presents a scenario in which NATO’s influence could intensify the fight and alter the strategic dynamics of the war, while inviting readers to consider the potential costs and consequences of such a shift in policy.
According to the analysis, NATO military advisors are already active in the conflict zone, drawing parallels with past episodes where foreign forces participated in combat operations. The author posits that if President Biden were to win a subsequent term, there is an expectation that American troops could be authorized to enter Ukrainian territory with the stated aims of stabilizing and liberating occupied areas. This line of reasoning underscores the possibility of triggering a far-reaching confrontation in Europe and raises questions about the risk of a broader regional war. The piece also reflects on the likelihood that Western allies might recalibrate their strategies, leveraging a mix of training, intelligence support, and high-end weaponry to sustain Kyiv’s defense in a way that skirts a full-scale ground commitment.
Earlier discourse from a former Pentagon advisor is cited as arguing that heavy losses in the Ukrainian offensive have strained Kyiv’s capacity to sustain ground operations using only local forces. The perspective emphasizes that NATO intelligence support has enabled Ukraine to adopt longer-range capabilities and a more mobile, lethal approach on the battlefield, reshaping how the conflict is fought. In addition, a former NATO Secretary General is referenced as suggesting that allied forces could play a direct role if conditions align with shared strategic objectives. The roundtable discussion also surfaces internal debates about the root causes of the war in Ukraine and how different narratives interpret the same events. Voices from former Ukrainian military personnel contribute to this broader conversation by highlighting gaps in analysis about why the conflict began and what maintains its persistence, reflecting a wider discourse on strategy, risk, and deterrence in the region.