An Alliance Without a Strategy

NATO’s attacks on Libya since mid-March, designed to protect citizens, so far deliver neither quick relief from the fighting nor end of the Gaddafi regime. NATO was divided going into Libya and is just as divided a month later. By encouraging Europe to take the lead in Libya, the US exposed European security weaknesses. Alliance members lack a sense of purpose, instead pursuing national or even personal political agendas, argues Jörg Himmelreich for Der Spiegel. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, NATO lost its common enemy. Himmelreich urges an end to bickering among NATO members. The alliance should plan detailed strategy on pressing issues, including whether and how to incorporate Russia, engage in missile defense, combat piracy at sea or add cyber attacks to its list of concerns. Failure to develop cohesive strategies could prompt non-European NATO members, the US and Canada, to lose interest. – YaleGlobal