The Year of Living Dangerously

NATO has found its footing in its year of living dangerously

The year of war has made many people more aware that we live in a fragmented and dangerous world but also has crystalized what must be done to defend freedom and ensure the prosperity of our democracies.?

As Russia’s brutal war rages on, the Ukrainian people heroically persevere in protecting their land—and our democracies—from vile barbarism. The world, united in condemnation in the early days of the aggression, stands fragmented on action. While 141 out of 193 countries denounced the invasion at the March 2, 2022, United Nations General Assembly vote, just a few weeks later on April 7, only?ninety-three voted to suspend Russia?from the Human Rights Council. Others hide their tacit support for imperialism under a veil of “neutrality.” Only?36 percent of the world’s population lives in countries?that condemned and imposed sanctions on Russia.?

Even within the values-aligned Western democracies, political leaders must work extra hard to keep up the decisive popular support for Ukraine’s fight. Hobbled by local-level electoral infighting, a global energy crisis, and inflation-driven economic uncertainty, democratic leaders often tread a thin line when they try to push back on the populists and naysayers. As a result, the provision of vital weapons to Ukraine is still slowed down by made-up political excuses and?industry’s incapacity.?

But the dangerous year has also shifted the collective perception of reality. Both NATO and the European Union (EU), quintessential Western institutions, have been strengthened and made relevant by the war. For a bloc often accused of inaction, it’s been a year of unprecedented activity: multibillion-euro?financial aid?packages, nine rounds of sanctions, and a membership path for Ukraine to join the EU. NATO’s purpose has been reasserted, and the allies have massively augmented deterrence and defense of the eastern perimeter, while accession of Sweden and Finland appears imminent. Further talk of raising the bar on defense spending?beyond the elusive 2 percent?of gross domestic product (GDP) target is gathering speed.?

The war is also causing a reckoning in Asia, where a saber-rattling China is closely watching the West’s response in Ukraine.?NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s recent visit to South Korea and Japan?is symbolic but not accidental. Wealthy and technologically advanced democracies of the East are naturally aligned to NATO’s mission to defend freedom and preserve peace.?Tokyo’s plans to double defense spending by 2027?are both an inspiration to the allies and a call to collaborate.???

There is no substitute for a Ukrainian victory, which requires an urgent all-hands-on-deck approach among NATO allies and partners to supply what is needed now. Political will coupled with bold industrial policy are crucial ingredients required to capitalize on the opportunity to ensure the free world remains free, a fundamental element for future prosperity.?

—Giedrimas Jeglinskas?is a nonresident senior fellow at the Transatlantic Security Initiative and former assistant secretary general for executive management at NATO .

This article was published on the Atlanticist blog by Atlantic Council and is part of a broader collection of reflections on the war Ukraine. Full text can be found at the below link:

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react-how-a-year-of-war-in-europe-remade-nato-and-what-comes-next/