NATO considers its future in Strategic Concept document
NATO’s strategic concept document will set out how NATO will deal with a more unpredictable and competitive world. NATO leaders will endorse the document at the Madrid Summit in June 2022.
Gen Stoltenberg highlighted five elements that should be at the heart of the next Strategic Concept: protecting our values; reinforcing our military power; strengthening our societies; taking a global outlook; and building NATO as the institutional link between Europe and North America.
NATO’s values are defined by Stoltenberg as the organisation’s purpose; to defend democracy, freedom and the rule of law. The 6 January Capitol Riots are given as an example of these values in decline.
The second element, military power, is framed in comparison to the 2010 Strategic Concept which stated that ‘the Euro-Atlantic area is at peace’, Russian aggression has since changed the strategic landscape.
The third element is framed in comparison to military power, as while the threat from Russia and China is increasing, modern states are interdependent and relations must be maintained.
Taking a global outlook references the importance of international allies, not just NATO states.
Finally, building NATO as the link between Europe and North America has been topical recently, as factors such as increased European military links may reduce NATO’s prominent position.
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.