NATO Must Reform or Become Irrelevant

In 1949, not long after the conclusion of the Second World War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created "...to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means." It has been nearly sixty years since its founding, and the once proud western alliance that stood its ground against the mighty Soviet Union during the Cold War is now facing the prospect of irrelevance when it comes to dealing with global security issues.

The problem with NATO can be summed up in one word: Afghanistan. After the United States was attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists on September 11, 2001, NATO for the first time in its history invoked Article V of its charter, stating unequivocally that the attack on America was an attack on all NATO member nations. Despite solid support from NATO countries for the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan more than six years ago, the alliance has struggled since assuming control of the more than 40,000 troops that make up the International Security Assistance Force to prosecute the war against a resurgent Taliban and remaining al-Qaeda fighters. Much of the trouble has been experienced in the south of the country, where British, Canadian, and Dutch soldiers have borne most of the combat burden. Now it seems at least one NATO country has had enough.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday that Canada would only extend its military commitment to NATO's Afghanistan operation if another NATO member agreed to deploy more troops to the south to fight an increasingly resilient insurgency. Harper's comment was a follow-up to a recommendation made last week by an independent panel urging withdrawal of Canada's 2,500 troops from Afghanistan when their mission authorization expires next year, unless additional forces are provided in the south by one or more other NATO member states.