NATO Also To Strengthen Its Defense Capabilities In Europe And Perhaps Beyond
March 23, 2022–This week political leaders are meeting on two tracks to build up security in Europe: in the NATO Alliance and in the European Council.
Even before Russia invaded Ukraine, European countries started plans to shore up their own defenses. It started in 2017 with talks of a voluntary defense arrangement among EU countries. Over time, it grew in. ambitions. After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August, European leaders began talking about strengthening their own defense capabilities and building stronger autonomy in foreign policy. That led to the culmination of the Strategic Compass. It is a forward-looking defense planning document.
“We know what we are facing and what is ahead of us,” said Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at the European Council. “Now we need to put into concrete objectives what needs to be done to respond to the growing threats and challenges that the EU will be facing in the coming decade.”
At the time, when European leaders put those objectives together last November, they probably never expected a devastating war would break out in a European country just three months later.
Europe’s Strategic Compass
On Monday, the European Council approved a plan they call the Strategic Compass. According to the European Council, the plan is complementary to the NATO alliance. It plans to create a rapid deployment team of up to 5,000 troops for crises and enhance military capabilities. Furthermore, it will reinforce the EU’s military defense policy, among other things.
Furthermore, EU countries are promising to increase defense expenditures as well as strengthen cooperation with NATO, the United Nations, and other partners.
The updated 47-page document now takes into account Russia’s war and other geopolitical challenges.
“We live in an era of strategic competition and complex security threats,” the plan says. “We see conflicts, military build-ups and aggressions, and sources of instability increasing in our neighbourhood and beyond, leading to severe humanitarian suffering and displacement.”
-EU’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defense
Delegates to the Council are scheduled to discuss the plan March 24-25. That comes as delegates to NATO meet in Brussels this week to shore up that 30-member alliance.
NATO Alliance To Get Stronger
On its 28th day of war, Russia continues its relentless attacks on Ukraine. To date, international law hasn’t been able to stop it despite many attempts. In light of the aggressive campaign, the NATO alliance is hosting what it calls an “extraordinary summit” on March 24.
“I expect leaders will agree to strengthen NATO’s posture in all domains,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said today. “With major increases to our forces in the eastern part of the Alliance. On land, in the air, and at sea.”
Stoltenberg said the alliance would be resetting itself to strengthen its defense and deterrence position in light of the new reality it faces.
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