Worries swirl that Russia is planning to test NATO with direct attacks

NPR | By Elissa Nadworny ,

Daniel Ofman, Michael Levitt

Published September 19, 2026 at 5:05 PM EDT

NPR's Elissa Nadworny speaks with Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, about worries that Russia's "hybrid attacks" could lead to a direct military confrontation with NATO.

Elissa Nadworny

Elissa Nadworny is an NPR Correspondent covering higher education. She previously covered reproductive rights and abortion.

See stories by Elissa Nadworny

Daniel Ofman

Michael Levitt

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