Warsaw Summit 2016: Addressing the Red Bear
One of the most anticipated weekends of the year passed in regards to international affairs, and the state of American and European foreign policy as NATO held its biennial summit in Warsaw, Poland Friday and Saturday (July 8–9).
Though the capitol of Poland was almost under martial law this past week, there was good reason for the extreme measures. Heads of state and leaders from NATO’s 28 member states and several other nations were present at the summit. After the Allies finished their largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War, Anakonda 16, just a month earlier, they met to discuss NATO’s role in the final half of 2016.
In light of the recent wave of instability over the past five years in the world, but more directly in the past two years in Europe and America, many looked to see what response NATO would issue. The largest topics at the summit dealt with the resurgence of Russian aggression, conventional and unconventional warfare by the Islamic State, the refugee crisis in Europe, and political stability in Europe. Most importantly and the least publicized topics coming from Warsaw was the Russian threat.
Putin’s Aggressive Russia
Russia, first off, was the primary topic for many Allies, especially Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Their concern with Russia grew in the past two years because of Russian President Putin’s annexation of Crimea in Ukraine, his continued support of Donbass rebel fighters against Ukraine, and his continued occupation of disputed regions in Georgia. Eastern European and Baltic Allies fear Russian aggression because of their borders with Russia; along with Russia’s increasing operations and actions close to their borders and in the Baltic Sea.
Cybersecurity, most notably in response to Russian state hacking, concerned many of the Allies. Efforts to not only improve the conventional defenses in the region to deter any further Russian aggression were agreed upon by the Allies as well as a greater devotion to cybersecurity. Russian cyberattacks on America and other NATO allies came to prominence in recent years with the Russian resurgence. Cyberattacks are a new warzone and the decision to invest in protecting against these kinds of actions was agreed upon. In efforts to mend the tender relations with Russia, NATO continues to invite them to communicate and cooperate with NATO in order to remain transparent and not sour already fragile relations. All of these decisions come to deter further cyberattacks by Russia and their state sponsored actors.
With the recent rise of Russia back to the world stage, NATO harkens back to its original charter to protect American and her Atlantic allies against the imperialism of Russia (then the U.S.S.R.). One of the responses set to keep President Putin at bay is the rotation of four new divisions in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The ramping up of military exercises — massive in recent months — the increase in military spending by numerous members to levels NATO requests (2% of GDP), and permanently stationing hundreds and thousands of soldiers along with vehicles and equipment in Eastern European nations were all appropriate decisions concluded in Warsaw to counteract Russia.
The Russian threat remains, but NATO’s response to the resurgent threat shows its commitment to its Eastern European members and America’s commitment to Europe.
Support for our NATO allies must remain as we enter into another Cold War that could turn into a hot war with the slightest miscalculation or mistake by either side. In addition, the cooperation of other non-NATO nations needs to continue and support for those directly in the sphere of President Putin’s influence must be unwavering. In times of uncertainty we must show force and commitment in the faces of those who wish to divide and conquer. Commit to our military, trust they know how to keep us and our allies safe, and pray for their strength and wisdom.
No matter the threat, whether from the outside or within, America must carry on and Freedom must continue ringing, and for that, Freedom to continue ringing the Brave must stand and remain upright. God bless America and may God instill his fear into our enemies as we continue to intercede for his Divine protection.
