Could a northern offensive split NATO's response?

Alliance cohesion forms part of the operational problem because every carrier and brigade would not appear automatically. Britain would see Soviet control of Norway as a direct threat to its northern maritime defence and would press for rapid action. France and the United States could initially judge a limited northern conflict against their own escalation risks and global commitments. If fighting spread to central Europe, transatlantic reinforcement and a general naval campaign would follow, but hesitation at the start might give the Soviet Union time to secure limited territorial aims.