In its Strategic Concept for the next decade, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) declared Russia to be “the most significant and direct threat” and singled out China’s coercive policies as a challenge to “our interests, security and values” for the first time.
Outlining the issues that Beijing poses to the collective security of the military alliance, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg remarked, “China is substantially building up its military forces, including nuclear weapons, bullying its neighbours, threatening Taiwan, [...] monitoring and controlling its own citizens through advanced technology, and spreading Russian lies and disinformation.” However, he refused to call China as an “adversary.”
#NATO leaders have just agreed our new Strategic Concept, the blueprint for our Alliance in a more competitive world. #NATOSummit #Madrid https://t.co/asolkHK5I8
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 29, 2022
The document notes that China is “rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal” and developing more and more sophisticated delivery systems, but without being transparent nor any regard for arms control or risk reduction. Moreover, it uses its political, economic and military power to increase its global influence, “while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up.”
According to the Concept, its “malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target allies and harm Alliance security.” In this respect, United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that Beijing “is seeking to undermine the rules-based international order that we adhere to,” adding, “And if China’s challenging it in one way or another, we will stand up to that.”
In fact, NATO expressed concern about the “deepening strategic partnership” between China and Russia, and their attempts to “undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests.” It said it remains open to “constructive engagement” with China but vowed to defend itself against Beijing’s attempts to divide the group.
To this end, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stressed that unless China is checked, “there is a real risk that they draw the wrong idea which results in a catastrophic miscalculation such as invading Taiwan,” in reference to the self-governing island that Beijing claims as Chinese territory.
Denouncing Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified” invasion of Ukraine, NATO asserted that Moscow can no longer be a “strategic partner” since it chooses to “control through coercion, subversion, aggression and annexation” by using conventional, cyber and hybrid methods against the alliance.
The document states that Russia’s “military build-up in the Baltic, Black and Mediterranean Sea regions, along with its military integration with Belarus, challenge our security and interests.” Furthermore, NATO accused Russia of using chemical weapons and implementing its “arms control obligations and commitments” selectively, which it said has led to the decline of Europe’s security.
It also clarified that NATO wants to avoid confrontation and does not pose a threat to Russia, and therefore, is “willing to keep open channels of communication” with Moscow in an effort to “manage and mitigate risks, prevent escalation and increase transparency.”
❝Ukraine can count on us. For as long as it takes❞#NATO leaders have agreed to strengthen support for Ukraine 🇺🇦 with a Comprehensive Assistance Package#NATOSummit | #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/wAnTXM60DU
— NATO (@NATO) June 29, 2022
That being said, Stoltenberg announced that NATO’s commitment to Ukraine remains “unshakeable” and that allies would continue to give military and financial support to Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” To this end, he launched a Comprehensive Assistance Package consisting of secure communications, fuel, medical supplies, body armour, and equipment to counter mines and chemical and biological threats, along with hundreds of portable anti-drone systems.
The alliance will also help Kyiv “transition from Soviet-era equipment to modern NATO equipment, boost interoperability, and further strengthen its defence and security institutions.” “A strong, independent Ukraine is vital for the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area,” the NATO chief noted at a press conference in Madrid.
The new Strategic Concept document begins with NATO’s commitment to continue working towards “just, inclusive and lasting peace” while remaining a bulwark of the rules-based international order. “Our vision is clear: we want to live in a world where sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights and international law are respected and where each country can choose its own path, free from aggression, coercion or subversion,” it declared.
The document says that conflict, fragility and instability in NATO’s southern neighbourhood, particularly the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions, becomes a “fertile ground for the proliferation of non-state armed groups, including terrorist organisations.” It also pointed out that Iran and North Korea continue to develop their nuclear and missile programmes, while Syria and North Korea also build chemical weapons. “We face a radical change to our security environment. And strategic competition is rising around the world,” Stoltenberg acknowledged.
The text also notes that climate change is a defining challenge of our time, which can exacerbate conflict, fragility and geopolitical competition while also impacting its armed forces, who are required to work in extreme climate conditions and are frequently called upon to assist in disaster relief. In this respect, Stoltenberg stated that NATO bodies and commands aim to cut emissions by 45% by 2030 and intend to move towards net-zero by 2050. “We cannot choose between having green militaries or strong militaries. They must be both,” he asserted.
The new concept defines the alliance’s three core tasks: deterrence and defence; crisis prevention and management; and cooperative security. “We underscore the need to significantly strengthen our deterrence and defence as the backbone of our Article 5 commitment to defend each other,” the text claims.
I think this will be a history-making summit.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 29, 2022
NATO is stronger than ever. pic.twitter.com/gRE9dYNami
The document underscores NATO’s commitment to defending every inch of allied territory, preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all allies, and prevailing against any aggressor. In this regard, Stoltenberg vowed to strengthen NATO’s forward defences, enhance battlegroups in its eastern flank up to brigade level, and transform the NATO Response Force by increasing the number of high readiness forces from 40,000 to over 300,000.
The text also mentions a substantial and persistent presence on the land, at sea, and in the air, including through strengthened integrated air and missile defence. To this end, the NATO chief announced more pre-positioned equipment, stockpiles of military supplies, more forward-deployed capabilities, such as air defence, strengthened command and control, and upgraded defence plans, with forces pre-assigned to defend specific allies.
“They will work with home defence forces, and become familiar with local terrain, facilities, and pre-positioned stocks. So that we can reinforce even faster,” he said, noting that such measures are being taken for the first time since the Cold War.
At the #NATOSummit, 22 Allies launched #NATO’s Innovation Fund - the world’s 1st multi-sovereign venture capital fund.
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) June 30, 2022
SG @jensstoltenberg noted the fund will help bring to life those technologies "that have the power to transform our security"
Read: https://t.co/dTHD5LpdEM pic.twitter.com/ruKulQl1fB
Stoltenberg also introduced the NATO Innovation Fund, wherein allies will invest €1 billion ($1.4 billion) in start-ups and funds developing dual-use emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in order to expedite NATO’s digital transformation, while enhancing its cyber defence, networks and infrastructure. “Together with NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), the new fund will harness the best new technology for transatlantic security,” he said.
Stoltenberg noted that the increased ambition of the alliance will cost more money, revealing that the allies have recommitted their 2014 pledge to invest 2% of their GDP on defence spending. “If we reduce defence spending when tensions are going down, we have to be able to increase defence spending when tensions are going up, and when we live in a more dangerous world,” he reasoned.
Stoltenberg disclosed that European allies and Canada have spent an additional $350 billion in defence since 2014; nine allies now reach or exceed the 2% target, 19 have clear plans to reach it by 2024, and an additional five have concrete commitments to meet it thereafter. “2% is increasingly seen as a floor, not as a ceiling,” he underscored.
The document also stresses on the importance of the Indo-Pacific and calls for strengthened dialogue and cooperation with new and existing partners in the region to tackle cross-regional challenges and shared security interests. In this respect, NATO invited Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea to attend the ongoing summit for the first time. “In a more dangerous and competitive world, we must work even more closely with like-minded nations and organisations,” Stoltenberg stated.
Here’s what happened at NATO this week. pic.twitter.com/5LEydztCSp
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 30, 2022
The document highlighted that a single or cumulative set of malicious cyber activities, or hostile operations to, from, or within space, along with hybrid operations, could be considered an armed attack and may lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
The document also promises to enhance the NATO-EU strategic partnership, strengthen political consultations, and counter cyber and hybrid threats, while addressing the systemic challenges posed by China to Euro-Atlantic security.
Keeping the current energy crisis in mind, the concept vows to enhance its energy security by investing in a stable and reliable energy supply, suppliers and sources. The document also says that the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to “create the security environment for a world without nuclear weapons, consistent with the goals of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Taking all of this into consideration, the new Strategic Concept declares, “As allies, we will continue to stand together to defend our security, values, and democratic way of life.”