Innlegg fra Hans Petter Midttun på linkedin:
NATO: An Alliance or something else altogether?
An alliance is a formal agreement between two or more nations to cooperate for mutual benefit, particularly regarding security, defence, or other strategic interests. Formal Agreement, Mutual Cooperation, Shared Benefits and Burdens, Common Threats or Interests, and Collective Action characterise it.
If this is correct, it is prudent to ask: Is NATO still an Alliance?
NATO has undoubtedly been a military alliance in the past (e.g. during the Cold War). That does, however, not mean that it remains an effective alliance today.
Formal Agreement?
NATO was founded on the Washington Treaty. Recent developments, however, have made Europe question the US commitment to Article 5 (Collective Defence).
Mutual Cooperation?
The US and Europe/Canada strategy towards Ukraine and Russia could not be more different. The US seeks to reset relations with Russia and encourage increased trade. It is pursuing a “peace plan” that aligns with the Kremlin’s plan to defeat Ukraine, rewarding the aggressor and pressuring the victim.
Seeing a risk of an open confrontation with Russia in 2027-2030, Europe and Canada seek a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They pursue a Russian defeat in Ukraine.
More importantly, like Russia, the US vocally threatens European security and stability. The present-day US is threatening Europe and Canada with land-grabs and annexation.
Shared Benefits and Burdens?
While the US offers unique capabilities, European taxpayers have always carried the main part of the costs. Since Trump took office, the US has stopped authorising new aid altogether. On the contrary, it only offers Europe to buy US weapons to donate them to Ukraine.
On top of its transactional approach – making sure the US has no costs and only earnings from the war – it has also imposed tariffs on its allies to further weaken their economy. In the absence of US burden sharing, many European countries are unsure how they will continue to finance Ukraine’s persistent needs.
Common Threats or Interests?
The 2024 NATO Summit covered everything from China's rise to Africa's instability, from cyber threats to Ukraine's path toward membership. The declaration addressed strategic competition, Iran's destabilising actions, the deepening partnership between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, and their mutual attempts to undercut the rules-based international order. In contrast, the 2025 summit resulted in a one-pager. America and Europe no longer agree on what threatens them, who their enemies are, or what NATO should do about it.
Collective Action?
NATO’s support of Ukraine is anything but unified. The US has turned its back on European security, seeing China as the greater threat. Where Europe pursue a Russian defeat in Ukraine, the US aim for cooperation and trade.
NATO might still be an Alliance on paper, but it is no longer effective. On the contrary, it obstructs European strategic autonomy.