Pentagon Asks NATO Allies to Soften Russia Rhetoric Ahead of Iran Strike Window

🛡️ NATO — Washington is muffling its own allies on Russia while loading up on Iran. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: With Epic Fury days out, the Pentagon needs European bases, airspace, and logistics — not a simultaneous Russia escalation spiral. Toning down Russia rhetoric keeps Moscow from hardening its posture before US strikes begin. But it also signals Washington's threat hierarchy: Iran first, Russia managed. European capitals now absorb that their Russia warnings are subordinate to US operational timing.