Opinion | Alliances like Nato out of touch with world in need of human security

While recent Nato summits have reaffirmed the strength of such alliances, they have also highlighted their limitations in tackling 21st-century threats. There is an urgent need to shift towards prioritising human security, a concept that encompasses climate change, food security, energy and poverty alleviation.

Nato’s potential expansion into the Indo-Pacific region through countries such as Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand raises questions about the role of such alliances in today’s interconnected world. This move reflects a security approach that might not be fit for purpose given current global dynamics.

While the transatlantic alliance has embraced more political and economic approaches alongside military considerations, the effectiveness of these strategies in promoting peace and development is debatable. These approaches run the risk of unintentionally fuelling regional tensions and call for a re-evaluation of traditional security alliances’ long-term impact on global human security.

The emphasis on national security often overshadows pressing global issues such as economic globalisation and effective climate governance. Global cooperation in these areas will benefit both developed and developing nations. In this context, efforts such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Belt and Road Initiative aim to address these global challenges while offering potential mutual benefits.

A key consideration in the current global context is balancing national and human security. Promoting human security can serve national interests as well. This balance involves advancing domestic development, addressing other nations’ concerns and participating in international cooperation.