Train Urban Defense, Not Just Assault

Urban exercises often stop at the 'break-in' and neglect the enemy counterattack and hasty defense that follow. NATO units need to practice layered defense and mobile delay in cities under realistic conditions (civilians, clutter, fire effects, drone/thermobaric threats), not only room‑clearing and breaching drills. Shifting scenarios and facilities would realign tactics with today’s weaponry and likely first-contact missions. — If training end-states bias militaries toward offense, recalibrating urban doctrine becomes a core readiness issue for Europe’s security and deterrence.