Not Stoltenberg But Disbanding Of NATO Is The Answer
By Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava
23 April, 2014
Countercurrents.org
Jens Stoltenberg , the former Prime Minister of Norway is now new Secretary General of NATO. He will succeed secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He will assume charge in October when next NATO conference will take place in Wales. His appointment signals that USA and NATO now assign more importance to Russian zone of influence, particularly after the Ukraine Crisis. He has good relations with Russia and comes from a country which is geographically near to Russia but he is equally committed to NATO. He is strong supporter of NATO policies but possess soft diplomatic acumen too. He has stated in the background of changing power dynamics in Europe that a “brutal reminder of how important NATO is” and “that NATO does not accept the changing of borders by force within Europe" and "NATO has once again proven its relevance."
In fact NATO is in process of modifying its role in the Europe where it has to confront an Russia. NATO, hence now feel that a direct confrontation need to be avoided but some diplomacy must be blended with hard approach in dealing with Russia. Jens Stoltenberg is a natural choice, capable to play soft and hard roles both and in a position to bring back normalcy in Europe. NATO and USA with its European friends know that Russia is not Afghanistan or Iraq and Europe can not be thrust with a war like conditions.
The rejuvenation of Russia after the Ukraine crisis, the symptoms of which were faintly visible since the Iranian nuclear problem and strongly observed after the Syria crisis when Russia played a key role in saving the Assad’s regime, now suggests that Russia has emerged as serious country for consideration for USA in global power politics designs. There are multiple dimensions to this thinking as for illustration, the Arctic which is likely to provide the Oil and Gas resources in the future as it contains a 13% oil and 30% gas resources is likely to emerge as the next resource house of depleting natural energy resources. The noteworthy point is that Russia is ,at present, leader in the exploitation of the Arctic resources and opening of NSR [ Northern Sea Routes] in next few years will give it an added advantage, has alarmed USA and European countries as EU is much dependent upon the Russian supply of energy resources.
Stoltenberg appointment is thus an attempt to mend the ways with Russia. This is two step programme , at first attempt will be made to defuse the troubles with Russia for which Stoltenberg is to play an important role and if it fails then Russia will be brought under stress, with NATO backed efforts, to dismantle its influence.
NATO was established by USA after the collapse of cold war. That age is past, still NATO survives just because to maintain the US interest in the world. The protection of Europe is highly dependent upon NATO, this is now a weakness of European nations. The truth is that these countries have three arrangements, first their own defense system, those European countries which are members of EU are also protected by EU defense system and finally the NATO.EU states that “the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) enables the Union to take a leading role in peace-keeping operations, conflict prevention and in the strengthening of the international security.” This is noble statement but it is very hard to understand, how does the CSDP interact with the overall impact of NATO?
In fact NATO has engulfed the European military architecture with USA at supreme position.The USA has designed NATO in order to enhance not only its own interest but also to keep restricted the European countries by making them highly dependent upon itself , hence they have become a sort of military colonies of USA, a fact which they have not realized yet due to non appreciation of the real nature of USA’s European foreign-military policy. This conclusion can be gathered from the Luxembourg meet during this month where NATO Secretary General stated that “NATO’s focus is on our fundamental purpose: to protect our Allies and deter against any threat. We have already taken steps to bolster our defences, and we are preparing to take further such steps. To ensure our security in the air, at sea, and on land. These are measures which we can put in place quickly, and sustainably. The solidarity of the Alliance is unbreakable. Every Ally contributes to it.’’ Allies in fact depend upon the NATO for the protection, the recent Ukraine crisis has shown that Europe and USA have not accepted the rise of USSR in recent time, hence more activity is being shown by NATO.
When it is established that NATO serves mainly the interest of USA not of the Europe or in wider sense not of the humanity and when cold war is over, it is highly needed that NATO like military organizations must be disbanded. This may appear highly difficult task at the diplomatic level particularly for the member states of the NATO but this idea must spring from the side of European members themselves as no other country or global institution is in a position to challenge the US authority.
The next meet of NATO is due in September. This may be an important meeting particularly due to Ukraine crisis which has exposed the real nature of European politics due to Russian activism.
Jens Stoltenberg is right choice for the NATO. He used to be an opponent of NATO in the previous years. He is having good relations with European leadership. His interaction with Russia is not so much problematic. He can manage the troubled phase in the European history.
He must shed his soft-hard approach to Russia. He must realize that it is high time that NATO which shapes the European military policies not the CSDP , must be given a new thought by the Europe. Europe must look beyond NATO. Wales meeting nay be starter in this direction.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava has twenty years University level teaching experience, presently Assistant Professor in CSJM Kanpur University[affiliated college],Vice Chairman CSSP, email: [email protected]
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