From Waltz’s bruising confirmation to the U.N., to a nation preparing for Charlie Kirk’s massive memorial, Polish jets scrambling against Russian strikes, and Qatar freezing mediation after an Israeli hit in Doha,

Russian jets carrying Kinzhal ballistic missiles breached Estonian airspace, prompting NATO interception and potential Article 4 consultation requests, according to sources.

On 9, Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed its border, triggering a Quick Action Alert and scrambling allied aircraft. The operation was the first time NATO forces fired in defense since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia’s drone incursion into Poland overnight, forcing NATO fighter jets to scramble and shoot down some of the drones, was an enormous escalation by President Vladimir Putin of Russia. And for those of us in the West,

Russia’s drone incursion into Poland overnight, forcing NATO fighter jets to scramble and shoot down some of the drones, was an enormous escalation by President Vladimir Putin of Russia. And for those of us in the West, it was a test.

While NATO said it responded quickly to the threat, some military observers say the situation highlights the need for protection of allied airspace.