OPINION:
With the NATO annual summit taking place later this month, here are five main reasons the U.S. should renew its engagement with the trans-Atlantic organization.
1. Vladimir Putin is playing the United States. He Putin does not want peace in Ukraine. Russia is the antagonist in this conflict and conditions for Ukraine are worsening.
2. The only time that NATO enacted Article V (an attack on one is an attack on all) in defense of the alliance was after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. NATO has been there for the U.S., and we should be there for Europe.
3. Chinese military capability and capacities are an increasing threat to the United States and our Western allies. This threat will only grow with time.
4. We need better and more intelligence sharing. Intelligence is an important capability to forewarn NATO (including the United States) of impending threats. This could be integral to President Trump’s “Golden Dome” initiative.
5. Adversaries (Russia and China included) are using cyber tools against NATO members to gather intelligence and steal proprietary information. We need to enhance our cyber capabilities.
NATO has survived more than 75 years; this is significant. The U.S. must play a pivotal part during the summit for these reasons. The security of both the U.S. and Europe is at stake.
TOM RØSETH
Associate professor, intelligence studies
Norwegian Defence University College
Oslo, Norway
JOHN WEAVER
Professor, intelligence analysis
York College
York, Pennsylvania
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