Because the focus of NATO will remain Russia
NATO's emphasis is not placed on China, but on Russia. Giuseppe Gagliano's analysis
The long and detailed document drawn up during the NATO Brussels summit reiterates some fixed points in perfect political and strategic coherence with the current Biden administration.
Contrary to what is claimed by numerous journalists-analysts who have only partially – or superficially read – the document articulated in 79 points, the emphasis is mainly placed not on China but on Russia, as an integral reading of the document fired during the Brussels summit.
So let's go into the detail of the document.
Russia's aggressive actions pose a threat to Euro-Atlantic security. These words immediately indicate Russia's role in global destabilization. But what are the reasons for this danger?
THE TWELVE POINTS OF NATO ABOUT RUSSIA
First, while NATO maintains its international commitments, Russia continues to violate the values, principles, trust and commitments outlined in the agreed documents that underpin NATO-Russia relations. NATO has suspended all practical civil and military cooperation with Russia, while remaining open to political dialogue. Until Russia demonstrates respect for international law and its international obligations and responsibilities, there will be no return to "business as usual". NATO will continue to respond to the deteriorating security environment by improving deterrence and its defense position, including an advanced presence in the eastern part of the Alliance.
Secondly, Russia's growing multi-domain military strengthening, more assertive posture, new military capabilities and provocative activities, even close to NATO borders, as well as its unannounced and jerky large-scale exercises, continued military strengthening In Crimea, the deployment of modern double-capable missiles in Kaliningrad, military integration with Belarus and repeated violations of NATO allied airspace increasingly threaten the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and contribute to instability along the borders of NATO and beyond.
Third, Russia has also stepped up its hybrid actions against NATO allies and partners, including through delegates. This includes attempts to interfere in allied elections and democratic processes; political and economic pressure and intimidation; widespread disinformation campaigns; harmful computer activities. It also includes illegal and destructive activities by Russian intelligence services on Allied territory, some of which have resulted in the deaths of citizens and caused extensive material damage.
Fourth, Russia has continued to diversify its nuclear arsenal, including by deploying a number of short and medium-range missile systems. Russia has recapitalized around 80% of its strategic nuclear forces and is expanding its nuclear capabilities by pursuing new and destabilizing weapons and a wide range of dual-capacity systems. Russia continues to use aggressive and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and has increased its continued emphasis on destabilizing conventional exercises that include dual-capacity systems. Russia's nuclear strategy and the modernization, diversification and expansion of global nuclear weapons systems, including the qualitative and quantitative increase in Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons, increasingly support a more aggressive stance of strategic intimidation.
Fifth, NATO, in the function of anti-Russian containment, supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova within their internationally recognized borders. Specifically, Russia's recent massive military build-up and destabilizing activities in and around Ukraine have further intensified tensions and undermined security. Precisely for this reason, NATO calls on Russia to stop fueling the conflict by providing financial and military support to the armed formations it supports in eastern Ukraine. We reiterate our full support for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) special monitoring mission in Ukraine. We emphasize the importance of ensuring its security and full and unhindered access throughout the territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and the Russia-Ukraine border, in accordance with its mandate.
Sixth, NATO rejects Russian recognition of the Abkhazia and South Ossetian regions of Georgia as independent states.
Seventhly, NATO condemns the Russian military reinforcement that limits navigation navigation of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and Ukrainian ports.
Eighthly, again with an anti-Russian function, NATO legitimizes its advanced presence in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland through alignment with the plans and ensuring the ability of the four combat-ready tactical groups to operate with the forces of national defense in an integrated way. Precisely for this reason, NATO has increased contributions to the Forward Presence on land, sea and air in the Black Sea region.
Ninth, NATO emphasizes the qualitative and quantitative increase in non-strategic Russian nuclear weapons. NATO will continue to respond in a measured and responsible manner to the significant risks posed by the Russian 9M729 missile and other short and medium range missiles to Allied security. Russia's proposal for a moratorium on medium-range missile deployment in Europe is incompatible with Russia's ongoing unilateral deployment of such systems on the continent and would not prevent Russia from building such missiles outside its European territory. ; this proposal is therefore not credible and not acceptable.
Tenth, Russia's continued aggressive military stance, its refusal to fully comply with its obligations under the Open Skies Treaty, its continued selective implementation of the Vienna Document, and its long-standing failure to implement the Treaty on Open Skies. conventional armed forces in Europe continue to undermine security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO therefore calls on Russia to return to full implementation and compliance with the letter and the spirit of all its international obligations and commitments, which is essential for rebuilding confidence, military transparency and increasing predictability in the Euro-Atlantic region. For this reason, NATO calls on Russia to be open and transparent regarding its instantaneous unannounced exercises, large-scale exercises and large-scale troop movements, in accordance with its commitments in the Vienna Document, particularly in light of its recent strengthening in and around Ukraine.
Eleventh, with regard to the intricate question of Belarus, the Allies remain deeply concerned about developments in Belarus since August 2020. Belarus's policies and actions have implications for regional stability and have violated the underlying principles of the partnership. NATO will remain vigilant and monitor the security implications of the Alliance. The unacceptable hijacking of a civilian plane in May 2021 and the subsequent arrest of a journalist and his companion traveling on board endangered the safety of civilians and was a serious affront to political dissent and press freedom. NATO calls on Belarus to respect international law, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including those belonging to the Union of Poles in Belarus. Allies stand ready for a mutually beneficial NATO-Belarus partnership, taking into account political and security conditions.
Twelfthly, NATO brings very precise choices on Georgia and Ukraine, always in function of anti-Russian containment. In fact, NATO reiterates the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest summit that Georgia will become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the process. NATO is in fact working closely with Georgia on security in the Black Sea region, in response to Russia's increasingly destabilizing activities.
As for Ukraine, NATO reiterates the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest summit that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the process. The annual national programs of the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) remain the mechanism through which Ukraine carries out reforms related to its aspiration for NATO membership. Ukraine should make full use of all tools available under the NUC to achieve its goal of implementing NATO principles and standards.
ONLY ONE POINT FOR CHINA
As far as China is concerned, there is only one passage – point 55 – in this very long document in which the Dragon is connoted as follows: China's declared ambitions and assertive behavior present systemic challenges at the basis of the rules of international order and areas relevant to the security of the Alliance. NATO is concerned about those coercive policies that are in contrast with the fundamental values enshrined in the Washington Treaty. China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and more sophisticated delivery systems to establish a nuclear triad. It is opaque in the implementation of its military modernization and publicly declared military-civilian fusion strategy and is also cooperating militarily with Russia, including through participation in Russian exercises in the Euro-Atlantic area. Precisely for this reason, NATO asks China to maintain its international commitments and to act responsibly in the international system, including the space, cyber and maritime domains, in line with its role as a great power.
The whole of these analyzes constitute on the one hand a full legitimation of the posture put in place by both the Trump administration and the Biden administration in relation to Russia but on the other hand they undoubtedly constitute a new chapter in the new cold war between America and Russia. In essence, America and NATO cannot accept the Russian projection of power that calls into question the American global hegemony achieved since 1949.
WHAT IS MULTILATERALISM FOR THE UNITED STATES
In relation to the so-called multilateralism that has been so much discussed both in Europe and in the United States, this is nothing more than a tool to consolidate American global hegemony by sharing the costs and responsibilities with the allies. In fact, NATO and the EU are only indispensable tools not only and not so much for maintaining the balance of international power but above all for maintaining American hegemony on a global level. In short, multilateralism becomes indispensable only to the extent that it serves to strengthen the logic of American power on a global scale. However, Europe – as the case of Germany and Nord Stream 2 eloquently demonstrates – cannot place aside its close economic collaboration with both Russia and China despite NATO and the United States.
To be honest: Venice participated in the Crusades but at the same time traded with the Arab world to safeguard its economic power. Allies, yes, but not subjects or foolish and obsequious servants with the master.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/nato-russia-minaccia-cina/ on Wed, 16 Jun 2021 06:51:04 +0000.