NATO Needs Realistic Goals Toward Russia

These days, Europe is a place where uncertainty seems to be the norm. Regional differences over how to deal with Russia are fast becoming enduring rifts, with fissures emerging across Europe’s political map. While this fragmentation could be blamed in part on the renationalization of politics across the continent, the most potent external factor is the resurgence of Russia and Europe’s inability to reach a consensus on how to respond to Moscow’s ambitions.

Russia’s pressure along NATO’s Eastern flank has generated different threat perceptions across Europe, and it continues to test the limits of allied solidarity. NATO’s response has so far addressed only partly the military dimension of this challenge, and absent a larger strategy, the current regime of rotational exercises and deployments may prove to be a temporary fix.

ESO: Background information: NATO Secretary General: We are as united as ever / Nato boosts presence in eastern Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/nato-secretary-general-we-are-as-united-as-ever-nato-boosts-presence-in-eastern-europe/

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