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Ink Spo ts
Matt Paxton
Last week, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization observed its 75th anniversary. NATO has grown from 12 members initially in 1949 to 32 members today. Many of the newer members like Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic states, were once a part of the Warsaw Pact and under the thumb of the Soviet Union. The newest members are Sweden and Finland, propelled after decades of neutrality to join NATO because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
George C. Marshall was secretary of state during the initial discussions that led to the formation of NATO. At that time, the concern was the Soviet Union and its threat to Western Europe, still recovering from World War II. Throughout the Cold War, for 40 years, NATO was an effective counter to the USSR, and arguably was a factor in keeping the peace. With the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, some argued that NATO wasn’t needed any longer. We anticipated the “peace dividend” that would accrue from lower defense spending needs.
But those days seem pretty remote now. Under Vladimir Putin, Russia is as expansionist and confrontational as the old Soviet empire. Today, NATO has a renewed purpose and value to world stability.
The strength of NATO as a deterrent to Russian aggression against Poland, Latvia, Estonia or Lithuania is the assurance that in fact all members of NATO would rally to the defense of any member. Any walking back of this commitment by the United States or other key member of the alliance weakens that deterrence. That’s why Russia is actively engaged in promoting isolationist tropes on social media. The Russians have seen the quality of the military hardware that NATO countries have provided to Ukraine, and they know they can’t compete on the battlefield with a unified and committed NATO alliance.
So, Russian troll farms roll out posts that ask why Americans should spend money to defend Poland or Latvia. These resonate with some Americans, as similar calls have over history of our republic. The America First movement in the late 1930s and early 40s echoed this flawed viewpoint.
The fact is, maintaining a Europe that is democratic and a strong trading partner with the U.S. may be as important as the military alliance. NATO ties reinforce those economic relationships. It is conceivable that the United States could survive militarily without the NATO alliance, but we would be in serious trouble without trade with Europe and the rest of the world. That trade depends on a stable and safe world. Just look at the disruption that a few Yemeni rebels have cause by shooting missiles at ships in the Red Sea. Dealing with issues like that is difficult to impossible without allies and like-minded nations.
At a ceremony marking the occasion of the anniversary, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in his speech, “Europe needs America for its security. Fair burden sharing is essential. And Europe is investing more. Much more. This year, the majority of NATO Allies will invest at least 2% of their GDP in defense.
“At the same time, North America also needs Europe. European allies provide worldclass militaries, vast intelligence networks and unique diplomatic leverage. Multiplying America’s might. Through NATO, the United States has more friends and more allies than any other major power.
“I do not believe in America alone. Just as I don’t believe in Europe alone. I believe in America and Europe together. In NATO. Because, we are stronger and safer together.”
Well-said, General Stoltenberg.
