Russia keeps playing a risky game, much like Khrushchev in the Cold War, but with a modern twist. Back then, it was bold moves like Cuban missiles; now, it’s radar locks, cyberattacks, propaganda and kompromat . Putin’s testing NATO’s limits, acting tough while avoiding a full-blown fight, swapping Khrushchev’s shoe-banging for subtler, 21st-century stunts to keep everyone guessing.