70th anniversary finds NATO with tense nerves

The fact that at the 70th NATO anniversary meeting in London, the atmosphere is not happy has to do with NATO itself. She's in crisis for a lot of reasons. The diagnosis has been attributed to French President Macron, who provoked outrage at partners within the Alliance. He called the Alliance “physical”, urging European countries more self-action on security issues, and warned them that the US is no longer a reliable partner. The way Macron put it, it's not fair the director thinks about Europe at German Marshall Fund, Jan Techau.

However, he gives Macron right when he says Europe should do more for its own safety, yet he fails to do anything: The most important issue is for Europeans to wake up from sleep. Whether they want to do something or not, do they want to take their own security, yes or no? Thus, Macro lost his patience because he did not receive answers from others, especially from Berlin. So he said, well, if the others don't move out of the country, the other Europeans, then I'm throwing a rock to stir up the waters and we're waiting to see what's going to happen, and the others get out of waiting. That was the goal of what he said. ”

Stoltenberg and Macron

Macro was particularly criticised by the Eastern European states. These countries feel threatened by Russia and continue to seek US protection. German Chancellor Angela Merkel knows this: “Europe cannot be protected alone. We are dependent on the transatlantic alliance, so it's fair if we work for the alliance and take on more responsibilities”.

Macron has argued his analysis with lack of support in making strategic decisions, given the Turkish offensive in Syria. This prompted Turkish President Erdogan to attack Macron personally. It must once control its dry brain, Erdogan said. There is a great need in NATO to talk to each other, not just because of this row. Because Erdogan, for example, overlooked partners when he made the only decision to buy the Russian air defence system.

Jan Techau, expert in international politics and peace

Macro seeks greater access to Russia

French President Macron, on the other hand, drew another attention last week. When he said peace and stability in Europe should be achieved greater closeness with Russia. He requested a dialogue with clear, tough and quality goals: “D abord mevec dialogue la Russie, lucides, pent et exegenant. ”

Which certainly awakened scepticism to NATO partners. In addition, American President Donald Trump also arouses uncertainty in the Alliance by his uncoordinated actions with others. The most important requirement for partners within the Alliance, especially Germany, is to provide more money for defence. And at the summit held in Brussels, he threatened to take care of his own affairs if others do not spend enough budgets. The situation could be eased by new figures, at least so hoped in Brussels. According to the data, European states and Canada will invest between 2016 and 2020, about $130 billion more. They should not do this to satisfy President Trump's will, says Secretary General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. But they have to do it because new risks and challenges for common security have increased. “European statistics and Canada should not invest in criminals to please President Trump. The should invest in density because we are faced with new events and new challenges. The secret aviation has become more dangerous. ”

President Trump at NATO conference

Trump's request to provide for the army two per cent of gross production in the country, Germany will not be able to complete it before 2030. How President Trump handles the money business is another issue, because the Alliance thinks he's unpredictable. Political expert Jan Techau says given Trump and Macroni: I don't know if any big fights will happen. But if the two presidents want to crash, there might be a crash at this meeting. ”

NATO will take care of everything else in London. With its strategy for space for example, or how to treat China. These topics have become second-hand themes due to internal conflicts. And at the meeting the main issue will remain to avoid further conflicts. / DW