Political rifts are undermining military progress in NATO
PARIS — There are two NATOs. There’s the slick military machine that plans, trains and coordinates to adapt to new security threats to Europe and North America. And there’s the political alliance that depends on the unity and resolve of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.
The messy pullback in Syria — which paved the way for NATO member Turkey to launch a cross-border offensive against Kurdish forces allied with the West, again without consultation — prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to diagnose the “brain death” of NATO and urge Europeans to build up autonomous defense capabilities. The U.S., he said, was turning its back on Europe.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who has shrugged off talk of NATO being in crisis, wants the London meeting to showcase rising allied defense budgets — an additional $100 billion in European and Canadian defense spending — and progress toward meeting NATO’s readiness target of having 30 warships, 30 air squadrons and 30 army battalions ready to use within 30 days. European allies may also agree to take over more of NATO’s modest $1.65 billion annual running costs to reduce the U.S.
In a real crisis, would a conflict-averse Germany hold up decision-making to consult the Bundestag? Would Russia-friendly allies such as Hungary filibuster? Whose side would authoritarian Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan be on? And would NATO be left hanging on a single tweet from an unpredictable U.S. president?
Central European allies who live closest to Russia and count on the U.S. security guarantee, underpinned by nuclear weapons, were particularly irked by Macron’s words, as well as by his recent outreach to Putin.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
What’s next in impeachment: Judiciary Committee up next?WASHINGTON (AP) — After two weeks of public hearings, Democrats could soon turn the impeachment process over to the House Judiciary Committee. They’re moving “expeditiously” ahead as House Speaker...
Lire la suite »
33 Things That'll Do Their Darndest To Help You Get Through Your Next FlightGet these products shipped to you before you've gotta ship yourself home for the holidays.
Lire la suite »
Next recession timing is spring 2020, cause will be rare, SocGen says - Business Insider'We see a springtime recession': A Wall Street firm that is counting down to the next crisis says its trigger will be unlike any in recent history
Lire la suite »
U.S. reversal on settlements leaves Palestinians fearing what’s nextThe Trump admin. on Monday reversed the decadeslong US position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. The reversal has left settlers cheering, and Palestinians fearful of the next pro-Israel shift.
Lire la suite »
In bid to repair ties, Japan and South Korea agree to summit next monthJapan and South Korea agreed on Saturday to hold formal talks next month, taking...
Lire la suite »
Tyler Perry Announces Next Project, Star-Studded Netflix Film ‘A Fall From Grace’Tyler Perry is teaming up with Netflix for a new thriller about a woman whose world is shattered by secrets. The writer-director-producer announced Friday on Twitter, his upcoming film A Fall from …
Lire la suite »