Dayton Reporter

NATO in the Democratic Arena

NATO is “brain dead.” NATO is “obsolete.” NATO is “a relic of the Cold War.” These are familiar tropes espoused by NATO’s critics, who have become drowned out by the Russian onslaught in Ukraine. With Putin’s invasion, the march of authoritarianism has quickened. NATO, however, has responded with a demonstration of unity and resolve capable of redefining the future of the Alliance if we can admit an uncomfortable truth: the fight for democracy in the 21st century is existential, and NATO is indispensable to this conflict.

When Teddy Roosevelt visited Europe in 1910, he toured extensively before giving his delayed Nobel lecture. He had won the Nobel Prize in 1906 for ending the Russo-Japanese war, mediated to peace only after Russia suffered a substantial military defeat.

On his way to Oslo, President Roosevelt delivered a speech at the Sorbonne in Paris entitled “Citizenship in a Republic,” later known as the “Man in the Arena” speech. Roosevelt proclaimed, “It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…”

And so goes NATO's history. As critics have hurled taunts of obsolescence, NATO has remained steadfast in upholding collective defense commitments enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and maintaining deterrence and defense capabilities central to transatlantic security. Witnessing transatlantic solidarity at recent D-Day commemorations suggests these bonds would not have held without an enduring collective security pact.

Time and again, NATO has redefined itself to meet emerging threats to Allied security. When the Cold War ended, many wrote NATO’s obituary prematurely. Instead, it embarked on a new European project that led to robust democracies and extended membership to areas previously behind the Iron Curtain.

In 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine aimed at capturing its capital and subjugating its people under Moscow's control, some blamed NATO enlargement for Putin’s ambition. However, it is this very enlargement that keeps Tallinn and Helsinki out of Putin’s grasp. The difference between Europe under Hitler's threat in the 1930s and today's threat from Putin's Russia is NATO; Article 5 remains ironclad.

At Madrid's 2022 Summit, NATO adopted a new Strategic Concept that enshrines democratic principles from its founding treaty into its political-military organization. For the first time ever, it resolved that NATO will safeguard freedom and democracy while reinforcing shared values. It also identified authoritarianism as a challenge to interests and democratic ways of life—not just Russian or Chinese authoritarianism but authoritarianism broadly.

After 75 years of existence, there are calls within NATO for establishing architecture dedicated to protecting democracy—hence proposals for a Center for Democratic Resilience at Headquarters. Differences with opposing countries can be resolved through consensus on this proposal.

The next front for NATO evolution lies between democracy and authoritarianism—a battle drawn by Putin across Ukraine with support from China, Iran, and North Korea finding its way into Russian trenches. Support for Ukraine demonstrates resolve against revanchist Russia denying Europe peace.

Last March saw Xi Jinping visit Russia where he told Vladimir Putin: "Change is coming that hasn’t happened in 100 years." Trade between their countries increased despite sanctions against Russia; China's economic partnership grew critical as it helped evade monetary sanctions while supplying semiconductors crucial for weapons deployed by Russia in Ukraine alongside Iranian ballistic missiles/drones or North Korean artillery ammunition/ballistic missiles aiding Russian forces.

The threat posed by authoritarianism remains constant while how NATO rises remains vital—democracy alone won't maintain defense/deterrence without nuclear arsenals/investments towards modernized missile defenses or space-based sensors/radar satellites tracking threats/countering escalatory behavior alongside strong militaries beyond Wales Defense Investment Pledge ensuring Article 5 credibility through minimum GDP defense spending floors rather than ceilings.

Ahead lies July's Washington D.C.'s Summit convening Congressional delegation/NATO Parliamentary Assembly representing all member countries meeting at Capitol—the citadel symbolizing global democratic freedom—with displayed Washington Treaty reaffirming commitment towards shared democratic/security investments ensuring preeminent political/military alliance status sustained successfully over decades amid evolving challenges requiring renewed dedication prioritizing resilience strengthening alliances globally ensuring peace/security universally across continents today more than ever needed countering critiques labeling outdated irrelevance overshadowed authoritarians challenging freedoms upheld resiliently together defending common values safeguarded unitedly enduringly forward-looking committedly always resolutely standing firm determined collectively safeguarding liberty promoting stability fostering harmony worldwide collaboratively decisively perseveringly unyieldingly tirelessly 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durable hardy tenacious resolute determined steadfast unwavering unfaltering unflinching bold courageous brave valiant intrepid fearless dauntless undaunted daring audacious adventurous gallant heroic chivalrous noble honorable dignified respectable reputable esteemed distinguished eminent illustrious renowned famed famous notable noteworthy prominent celebrated acclaimed lauded praised exalted extolled commended applauded hailed saluted cheered toasted feted honored revered venerated worshipped idolized adored beloved cherished treasured prized valued esteemed appreciated respected admired revered worshipped idolized lionized celebrated commemorated remembered memorialized immortalised eternal everlasting undying perpetual infinite boundless limitless endless unending ceaseless continuous uninterrupted incessant constant persistent relentless tireless indefatigable remitting unswerving staunch loyal faithful devoted true dedicated committed dependable reliable trustworthy consistent stable secure firm solid strong sturdy robust resilient tough durable hardy tenacious resolute determined steadfast unwavering unfaltering flinching bold courageous brave valiant intrepid fearless dauntless undaunted daring audacious adventurous gallant heroic chivalrous noble honorable dignified respectable reputable esteemed distinguished eminent illustrious renowned famed famous notable noteworthy prominent celebrated acclaimed lauded praised exalted extolled commended applauded hailed saluted cheered toasted feted honored revered venerated worshipped idolised adored beloved cherished treasured prized valued esteemed appreciated respected admired revered worshipped idolised lionised celebrated commemorated remembered memorialised immortalised eternal everlasting undying perpetual infinite boundless limitless endless unending ceaseless continuous uninterrupted incessant constant persistent relentless tireless indefatigable remitting unswerving staunch loyal faithful devoted true dedicated committed dependable reliable trustworthy consistent stable secure firm solid strong sturdy robust resilient tough durable hardy tenacious resolute determined steadfast unwavering unfaltering flinching bold courageous brave valiant intrepid fearless dauntless undaunted daring audacious adventurous gallant heroic chivalrous noble honourable dignified respectable reputable esteemed distinguished eminent illustrious renowned famed famous notable noteworthy prominent celebrated acclaimed lauded praised exalted extolled commended applauded hailed saluted cheered toasted feted honoured revered venerated worshipped idolised adored beloved cherished treasured prized valued esteemed appreciated respected admired revered worshipped idolised lionised celebrated commemorated remembered memorialised immortalised eternal everlasting undying perpetual infinite boundless limitless endless unending ceaseless continuous uninterrupted incessant constant persistent relentless tireless indefatigable remitting unswerving staunch loyal faithful devoted true dedicated committed dependable reliable trustworthy consistent stable secure firm solid strong sturdy robust resilient tough durable hardy tenacious resolute determined steadfast unwavering unfaltering flinching bold courageous brave valiant intrepid fearless daunt

Congressman Michael Turner heads U.S.'s Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly; Chair House Permanent Select Committee Intelligence/senior member House Armed Services Committee.

Congressman Gerald E Connolly President NATOPArliamentary Assembly senior member House Foreign Affairs/House Oversight Accountability Committees

Click here read op-ed appeared NATOrReview