> To think NATO wouldn't defend a member state is completely unrealistic and that's one of the reasons this entire conflict started.

Depends how defending looks. I can see some drone strikes, some bombing runs, but the danger of it escalating to a nuclear war is would be high.

I just don’t believe Americans would accept turning their cities to glass to save Lithuania.

Now I understand, pretending they would, makes the deterrent work. But I hope nobody tries to call the bluff on that one.