Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO rightfully received significant credit for staring down what had been one of history’s most formidable military powers.
Moscow has once again become a major armed threat. Indeed, it is now in a stronger position than it was during the first Cold War, thanks in equal measure to the bellicosity of Vladimir Putin and the pacifism of Barack Obama.
For far too long, the defense budgets of the United States and to an even greater extent those of our NATO allies have been underfunded. In recognition of the Kremlin’s growing danger, attention is starting to be paid by the western alliance to its diminished strength.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has released his annual report on the challenges facing the alliance.
He notes that “The security environment in 2015 was one of complex challenges and unpredictable threats to the safety of citizens in the Euro-Atlantic area and around the world. Violent extremism and instability in the Middle East and North Africa persisted, worsening the humanitarian crises in Syria and Iraq, and fuelling the largest flow of refugees in decades. Terrorists attacked in Ankara and Paris, Beirut and San Bernardino. They killed indiscriminately, bombing a plane of Russians on holiday in Egypt, shooting tourists in Tunisia and gunning down concert-goers and others out for an evening in France. Through these acts, terrorists attempted to disrupt people’s everyday lives and fragment the rules-based societies and systems that are the foundation of stability and prosperity.
“Russia continued to pursue a more assertive and unpredictable military posture in 2015. While persisting in illegally occupying parts of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and continuing to support separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine, Russia also began a military operation in Syria, not as part of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL but in support of the Assad regime. The serious risks associated with ignoring or skirting agreed international rules and procedures were brought to light in 2015, when violations of Turkish airspace led to the downing of a Russian jet…
“NATO is fully committed to the collective defence of all Allies and continues to bolster the readiness and responsiveness of its forces. Throughout 2015, NATO continued to implement the Readiness Action Plan…providing assurance for Allies in the eastern part of the Alliance, supporting Turkey as it is faced with instability in the South, and adapting so that NATO is prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These actions have contributed to the most significant reinforcement of NATO’s collective defence in decades.
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“NATO agreed a hybrid strategy to cope with the fast-moving challenges posed through a range of military and non-military means. The Alliance exercised its forces in a variety of scenarios throughout the year, including in its largest exercise in over a decade which brought together more than 36,000 troops from over 30 countries…
“In 2015, Allies invested in defence and security, developing and improving their capabilities, including ballistic missile defence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber defence. Allies worked together and with partners on the operations and missions in which NATO is engaged, from training and advising in Afghanistan to maritime monitoring in the Mediterranean.
“NATO deepened its cooperation with partners across a range of areas to build capacity, enhance interoperability and to generate a better understanding of and approach to a variety of shared challenges to security…
“The Alliance continued to stand by Ukraine in 2015, enhancing its support to Ukraine as it works to improve its governance and security structures, despite the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country…NATO continued to adapt as an institution in 2015, implementing reforms to its civilian and military structures to ensure a modern, efficient, effective and accountable institution.”
One challenge that the Secretary General cannot diplomatically address in public is the continued underfunding of western military forces. Even before the disinvestment in U.S. defense under the Obama Administration, European nations had significantly failed to provide remotely adequate financial support.
In the United Kingdom, as noted by the Guardian, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has advocated British nuclear disarmament, despite Russia’s atomic weapons buildup under President Putin.