NATO 2022: A Search for Friends and Foes

Abstract

The article analyses the position of the North-Atlantic Alliance (NATO) in the changing multipolar world, and especially the developments related to the Ukraine. The focus is on the alleged internal cohesion and the prospects after the Madrid Summit held in late June 2020. The basic premise is that NATO has been in a constant search for (new or old) foes more than friends because the existence of an ‘enemy’ makes it legitimate and necessary. The ‘new’ Strategic Concept in that respect offers more of the same, by adding China on the horizon as a potential enemy (a systemic challenge, as it is said). On the other hand, the changed international order makes it obviously more than ever that the Alliance’s reach and mission depend solely on the hegemon that created it – i.e. the USA. The rhetoric of strengthened and united NATO vis-à-vis Russia is an empty one as the fractures are hard to hide. The allies are divided over the idea of having NATO (USA) focusing on Europe and the proposition of a ‘global NATO’. The basic proposition is that NATO (and the USA) suffer from overambitious visions of global dominance, which is just a new form of re-militarization of the world. On paper, it may sound convincing at least for the general public in the West, but in reality, it bears an imminent danger of a boomerang effect on the social and economic level. Hence in due time, the Western public will have to make up its mind if they want more butter (and warmth) or more weapons and military security.