NATO at 75: Adapting to Confront a Changing Axis of Chaos

NATO leaders arrived in Washington to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the alliance that played a pivotal role in defeating the Soviet Union and securing American leadership in the last century.

However, simply reminiscing about past triumphs will not be sufficient to overcome the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party and its authoritarian allies in this century.

NATO requires strong American leadership, a modernization plan, and a clear strategy for victory in today’s world.

Currently, democracies are facing setbacks on multiple fronts.

In the Indo-Pacific, China is increasing its aggression towards Taiwan and the Philippines without a robust response from the West. In the Middle East, Israel is engaged in a multi-front conflict with Iran while the West attempts to appease Tehran.

In Europe, Russia’s conflict with Ukraine continues without a clear path to Ukrainian victory, allowing Vladimir Putin to sow division within the NATO alliance and pushing for premature capitulation from Ukraine.

Previous attempts by former President Donald Trump to push European allies to invest more in defense and reduce dependence on Russian energy sources were met with resistance.

Even now, with several NATO allies under threat from Russia and a fragmented sanctions regime, some countries prioritize climate policies over energy security, while others fail to meet their defense spending commitments.

It is evident that the weakening of the West is not due to Trump’s policies but rather Biden’s approach.

To effectively counter Putin and his allies, NATO must expand its focus beyond Eastern Europe and develop strategies to confront the broader authoritarian network from Beijing to Tehran to Pyongyang.

The consequences of appeasing Putin could embolden China to act more aggressively in regions like Taiwan and Iran to pursue nuclear ambitions.

American actions, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan and accommodating Putin, have contributed to the current situation, where Russia’s allies are being supported at the expense of democracy.

Cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea poses a significant threat to Europe and North America.

Iranian proxies in Yemen threaten international trade routes, with Israel facing constant attacks from Iran while also developing defense capabilities to counter such threats.

It is crucial for NATO members to prioritize actions that promote Western energy sources, increase economic pressure on adversaries, and support allies like Israel.

Under the current Biden administration, which is accommodating Iran, criticizing Israel, engaging with China, and restricting American energy production, the outcome is not surprising.

NATO must develop a clear plan to end the conflict in Ukraine on Ukraine’s terms, increase leverage over Putin, and demonstrate the consequences of prolonging the war to Russia.

Allies on both sides of the Atlantic should invest in military capabilities, increase defense spending, and enhance deterrence measures to counter threats effectively.

Additionally, the United States should modernize its strategic partnerships with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and other democratic nations to navigate the new era of geopolitical competition successfully.

Key partners around the world are devising their strategies amid great power competition, highlighting the need for American leadership to forge a NATO-plus alliance that ensures a united front against authoritarian regimes.

Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, is a former National Security Council official and senior US Senate aide.