NATO is redefining its approach to dealing with the strategic crisis which emerged in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The new strategy, which aims to fund the alliance further, will put more financial burden on America, which remains the single largest contributor to the military alliance.
NATO Makes “New” Policy Amid Unprecedented Crisis
In its latest summit held from June 28 to June 30 in Madrid, NATO leaders discussed prevailing issues in global security at length, which have hindered the peace of its member states.
As per the developments, NATO is getting concerned about China. The military alliance accused the communist country of colluding with Russia in the form of a strong “strategic partnership,” which is posing severe challenges to the West.
One of the most important developments in the summit was the formal invitation given to Finland and Sweden to join NATO as the alliance tried to expand itself.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chided the organization for its discriminatory policies, which are not allowing the admittance of his country into the alliance.
According to Zelensky, NATO is acting as the “old turnstiles” of Kyiv, which remain open, but get closed when you come near them.
"NATO's open door policy should not resemble the old Kyiv metro turnstiles: they are open, & when you approach, the turnstiles close until you pay. Hasn’t Ukraine paid enough yet?" @ZelenskyyUa to @NATO as it welcomes two new members. hopes are dim but Ukraine seeks membership
— Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) June 29, 2022
While decrying NATO’s denial to admit Ukraine into the alliance, Zelensky claimed Russia would soon move to invade other countries like Poland, Moldova, and the Baltics.
Biden Ready to Use More American Money Outside
Even though the Russia-Ukraine war is still ongoing, Biden said the NATO summit would send an “unmistakable message” to Russia that the alliance is “strong and united.”
Biden also touted his efforts to further empower NATO, announcing America would have its permanent military base in Poland and the US would give two more Navy destroyers to Spain with two F35 squadrons to the UK.
Under the new plan, the rapid reaction force of the alliance, which comprises 40,000 personnel, will be increased to 300,000 by next year.
However, Biden seems overly confident as he looks to further expand the operational capacity of the military alliance.
Ahead of the NATO summit in #Madrid , President #Biden announced the following:
•Spain: Increase US navy destroyers from 4 to 6
•Poland :Permanent HQ for the US 5th army corps
•Romania: Maintain additional rotational brigade
•UK : 2 additional F35 squadrons— Hiba Nasr (@HibaNasr) June 29, 2022
The burden to keep the alliance intact has to be faced by American taxpayers, who are already strained by unprecedented inflation back home.
As a matter of fact, only nine out of 30 NATO members are meeting the criteria of spending 2% of their GDP on mutual defense.
This growing burden on America was the primary reason why former President Trump wanted NATO members to pay their fair share of the defense pact.
Meanwhile, NATO is redefining its strategic approach, as it published a new Strategic Concept during the summit. The alliance is also recalibrating its approach toward China under the new plan.
Although NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg claimed China is “not our strategic adversary,” the alliance also affirmed the need to keep a close eye on the Russia-China strategic partnership.
