The scenario assumes Soviet diplomacy would try to isolate Norway politically as well as militarily. Some NATO governments might hesitate if the German front remained quiet and intervention appeared to risk a much wider war. Jimmy Carter's United States and Margaret Thatcher's Britain are expected to honour their alliance commitments. French participation also appears likely because Free French and Norwegian forces had fought as close allies during the Second World War.
Notable Point · 1:36:39-1:38:26
Could NATO hold together over a war confined to Norway?
A Soviet attempt to label the conflict a limited Norwegian war would test whether every NATO government accepted escalation risks for a distant ally.