More from the article ...

... That is according to Washington lawmakers and witnesses who spoke during a House Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee hearing on Dec. 16, who warned that Russia and China are testing alliances, democracies and Western resolve.

They said that the two major U.S. adversaries are already targeting Europe through cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation and economic pressure. Witnesses told Congress the tactics are meant to stay below the threshold of open war while weakening NATO unity, undermining democratic institutions and eroding public support for Ukraine at a moment when U.S. and allied resolve is being tested.

Military.com reached out to the White House, the Defense Department, the State Department, U.S. European Command and the U.S. Mission to NATO for comment.

Avoiding Open Conflict

This fight is already underway, even if it does not look like war.

U.S. House Rep. Keith Self (R-TX), chair of the Europe Subcommittee, said the U.S. and its allies are operating in a contested environment where Russia and China exploit the space between peace and war.

"This is about inflicting damage without triggering a unified response," he said during the hearing. ...