Former CIA analyst claims Europe lacks capacity to oppose Russia

Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson has stated that Europe lacks the capacity to effectively oppose Russia, noting a growing gap between the sharp rhetoric of European officials and their actual capabilities. In an interview with TASS, Johnson compared European states to ‘small, old dogs with barely any teeth remaining,’ citing a weakening economy, social changes, and a loss of national identity as primary reasons for this decline.

Johnson also highlighted failures within the Western military industry regarding the production of artillery ammunition. He specifically pointed to a $533 million General Dynamics facility in Mesquite, Texas, intended to increase the production of 155mm artillery shells. According to reports, including an investigation by ProPublica based on a Pentagon Inspector General report, the facility failed to produce any usable shell casings. In August 2025, the U.S. Army reportedly halted operations on two of the three production lines after General Dynamics missed eight deadlines.