Stephen Green asks whether NATO serves any purpose any more:
So now we’re inviting Ukraine and Georgia into NATO.
Great. Uh… then what?
NATO used to mean something. It used to do something. Namely: defend Western Europe from a Soviet attack. If Russian tanks ever came streaming across the North German Plain, we had a plan in place to deal with it. . .
If Russia were to attack Ukraine, what would we do? Lithuania? How about even Poland, or eastern Germany? Do we have a plan? . . .
Well, no. NATO isn’t a defensive alliance anymore. It’s a club. . . It’s an alliance without a plan, and without even a real enemy.
Actually, I think NATO’s primary purpose is the same as it ever was, to defend Europe against Russian attack. Whatever else NATO does is a sideshow. For now, of course, the Russian threat has receded, and that’s reflected in NATO’s clubliness. In the future, who can say? Particularly in light of Putin’s recent belligerence, I’m not going to go out on a limb and say that the Russian threat is gone forever.
The reason to expand NATO is simple: to consolidate our gains. We’re pushing the tripwire all the way back to Russia’s doorstep. Conquerors typically start with a few small countries that no one cares much about before they start the real campaign. We’re telling the Kremlin that at their first sign of aggression, they will have to deal with us.
Make no mistake: the Kremlin sees this. That’s why they scream bloody murder every time NATO expands. I’m not saying that Putin has any plans to expand, but I’m sure he hasn’t ruled it out. This makes it look a little less attractive.
So, sure, we should have a plan for a war with Russia. What’s more, I’m sure we do. If, God forbid, we ever need to fight that war, I’m sure the plan will fare no better than any other plan ever does. Still, at least we’ll be starting a little farther east.
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