NATO’s Southern Strategy

BRUSSELS/BERLIN/WASHINGTON (Own report) – The leading foreign policy journal of Germany is debating NATO’s utility. Today, the utility of the Alliance is “unclear,” according to the latest edition of “Internationale Politik.” Countries in Europe and North America could solve their “security” problems without NATO, whereas – this should be conceded – NATO has done great damage to relations with Russia. In light of the EU’s military policy, Washington should encourage the EU to “defend itself,” says the author, an expert in an influential US think tank. While “Internationale Politik” is raising fundamental questions, NATO is opening a debate on a new “southern strategy.” Since Russia is expanding its naval presence in the Mediterranean and establishing new military bases in Syria, the Mediterranean “is a contested space,” according to NATO circles. The deployment of drones in Sicily has been announced, along with plans to intensify cooperation with the countries of the region. “Advisers” are already active in Tunisia, Jordan and Iraq and should also be sent to Libya as soon as possible. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced that the debate will be continued at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, scheduled for early December.