Imran Khalid

Opinion | Why Nato’s adaptability is a strength and a liability in trying times

Reaching its 75th anniversary is a testament to Nato’s adaptability, but its evolution over the years raises questions about its role in a changing world

Strategic recalibration is imperative as the geopolitical map changes and the alliance contends with the prospect of Donald Trump taking the US out of Nato

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Soldiers prepare slices of a celebration cake during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Nato at the Adazi military base near Riga, Latvia, on April 4. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization now has 32 member states. Photo: EPA-EFE

Imran Khalid

Published: 8:30pm, 18 Apr 2024

As Nato commemorates its 75th anniversary, the atmosphere is tense as the transatlantic alliance confronts a critical moment. It faces both familiar and emerging threats. Today, its relevance is again in the spotlight in a world fraught with security risks reminiscent of the Cold War era.

Nato’s endurance for 75 years stems from its adaptability to shifting global dynamics. No longer confined to its Cold War origins, it has evolved into a new entity. Yet, this metamorphosis raises questions about its role. Is Nato morphing into a global enforcer, intervening in conflicts beyond its members’ interests? Such ambition risks exacerbating crises rather than resolving them.

While Nato’s flexibility is commendable, its expansion into non-member territories demands scrutiny. Amid the commemoration of its 75th anniversary, Nato finds itself embroiled in escalating tensions with Russia.

Nato’s eastward expansion has implications for regional stability. The alliance continuing to extend its reach, particularly towards Russia’s borders, has exacerbated long-standing geopolitical fissures and raises the spectre of conflict.

Moscow deems this progression a Western betrayal. The Kremlin views these manoeuvres as provocative, heightening regional tensions and challenging Russia’s perceived sphere of influence.

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Whether it’s Russia, China or the proliferation of advanced weapons among non-state actors, the alliance contends with a complex web of actual – and presumed – adversaries. Moreover, it faces emerging threats in unconventional domains, compounded by the intersection of conflict and climate change.