How I Can Avoid NATO a Cold New War

Meanwhile, Russia and China are strengthening their relations, and ready to challenge the unipolar structure of power, which the West has enjoyed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

However, this does not necessarily mean the beginning of a new Cold War, as NATO and Russia still have an opportunity to end tensions. A variety of political and economic factors, as well as an appropriate time, have created incentives for both sides to create dialogue and work towards co-operation.

The July summit will be an opportunity for NATO leaders to come together and draft a clear security policy to strengthen Europe. The main agenda of the meeting will be to establish a strategy to improve military readiness and security in the Baltic states, while also preserving the opening of better dialogue and relations with Moscow.

In 2017, NATO established an expanded military presence in the Baltic states, Poland and the Black Sea region, to prevent Russian aggression, as well as promote collective protection. Finally, on June 3, 2018, about 18,000 NATO troops participated in annual military exercise in Poland “Saber Strike”, led by the United States, to improve readiness and defence fortifications in Eastern Europe.

NATO members will also aim to establish a new Command of the United Atlantic Forces, on the East Coast of the United States, a logistical command in Germany, and a cyber security centre.

While NATO is trying to improve its domestic relations, and its strategy to protect against the Russian threat in Eastern Europe, Russia has turned its heads from China for economic and military support.

In early June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met, along with several other leaders, at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation Summit 2018 (SCO). SCO consists of eight member states, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan and several former Asian countries of the Soviet bloc.

The June summit sparked considerable optimism on improving relations in the East; while Western countries took a step back at the G7 summit in Canada. SCO, is more united and safer, and is likely to be a potential NATO rival.

Some will even argue that the SCO already poses a direct threat to Western security.

However, it is not yet unified as NATO, as member states face a series of historical, cultural and identity differences. For example, Pakistan and India, the two newest members, are regional rivals, while India openly opposes China's Bree and Road Initiative, which will strengthen China's global economic power.

However, the potential success of SCO highlights the developing relationship between Russia and China. The two main countries of the SCO are in many similar respects, and their interests are very often with each other. Moreover, the two countries have mutual interests in limiting American influence, as well as shifting the structure of global power from that dominated by Western diplomacy.

This warm relationship between Russia and China is not new. After all, the two powers share a length of 3,500km, and have economies dominated by state and oligarch companies. Over the past decade, trade between Russia and China has marked a 6-fold increase, and last year the two countries signed the largest gas trade agreement in history.

They are also constantly boosting their military co-operation. Russia sells China over $1 billion per year in weapons. Not surprisingly, Russia and China will aim to form a strategic alliance in the East.

Both countries are known for their resistance to Western domination, while Moscow and Beijing have their ambitions to expand the global expansion. This political partnership was inevitable, given recent years' events.

After diplomatic and economic relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in 2014, Russia was completely isolated from NATO countries. This enabled her close ally to become China.

The time of Russia's revived nationalism already coincides with China's <x0orox” for military modernisation and the spread of global influence. NATO must take effective steps to build a constructive dialogue with Russia, and try to reconnect Moscow with the West.

It is in the interest of NATO and Russia to ease the tensions between them, and develop a path to strong economic relations. Russia must negotiate a relief from Western sanctions, which have seriously damaged its economy. In addition, increased partnership with China is not necessarily the best option for the Kremlin.

Beijing poses a threat to Moscow's influence in Central Asia. China's growing interest in developing infrastructure in countries of the former Soviet bloc of the region violates the Russian sphere of influence, and could cause concerns in Moscow.

NATO members should also try to ease security concerns in Eastern Europe, and also strengthen internal co-operation. If NATO manages to ease China's growing partnership with Russia, it will weaken China's ability to compete with the West for global influence. For this reason, summit NATO should give priority to efforts to continue positive dialogue with Russia, as Russia is likely to be ready to negotiate with the West. /In Albanian from the world.al

By Edward Owen “International Police Digest”