NATO GETS A BLAST!

NATO GETS A BLAST! (MSNBC.COM)

America's military alliance with Europe, the cornerstone of U.S. security policy for 6 decades faces a "dim If not dismal" future, according to United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates in a blunt speech delivered today in Brussels.

It was Gate's final policy speech as Pentagon Chief and in it, Gates questioned the viability of  NATO, saying that it's members "penny pinching and lack of political will, could hasten the end of U.S. support. It remained me of the rich kid with the only baseball on the block, and if the game didn't follow his rules, or go his way, he would take the ball and go home.

"Future U.S. political leaders, those whom the Cold War was not their formative experience, may not see the return on America's investment in NATO worth the cost. The United States funds around 25% of the 28 nation member military budget.

Gates has made no secret of his frustration with NATO bureaucracy and restrictions many European governments place on their military participation in the Afghanistan war. Early in his tenure as Pentagon chief, Gates ruffled NATO feathers when he challenged them to contribute more front-line troops that yielded few contributions.

Gates further stated that he felt that NATO was falling down on it's obligations and hoisting too much of the hard work on the U.S. Gates also pointed out his perceptions of weakness and failure in the two NATO main military operations at the present time, Afghanistan and Libya.

To increase, increasingly precious funds on behalf of nations that seem unwilling to devote the necessary resources or make the necessary changes, to be serious and capable partners in their own defense, are being met with a dwindling appetite and patience in the United States Congress to continue asking the American taxpayer to fund such an alliance.

The United States has tens of thousands of troops based in Europe, whose role is no longer to guard against cold war, but to train with European forces and promote what has been lacking for decades, the ability of Europeans to go to war alongside the U.S. in a coherent way.

The war in Afghanistan is being conducted under NATO auspices, and is, according to Gates, a prime example of U.S. frustration at European inability to provide the required resources. Despite more then 2 million uniformed troops, NATO has struggled  to sustain and control a deployment of between 25 and 45 thousand troops. There is also a lack of crucial support assets such as helicopters, transport aircraft, maintenance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and much more.

I find Gates remarks interesting, rather unrealistic and caustic to say the least. I am shocked that he, "Gates" didn't include Iraq in with his comments about NATO. I have never been a booster of the North American Treaty Organization, although I do feel that it serves a purpose in 21st. century world affairs.

Like most people, I knew little about NATO, and what it's mission might be. I have read different accounts of what NATO is, the good points and the bad, so I thought I'd look the organization up and get a first hand look at what it's all about.

In Washington D.C. on April 4th. 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was formed, members included Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Denmark  and Iceland. The North American Treaty was not the first formed allegiance to safeguard against attack from an aggressor nation, but the treaty did add membership and clout.

The Treaty of Brussels was signed in March of 1947 by Brussels, Luxembourg, France and the United Kingdom and was considered the precursor to the NATO agreement. The treaty and the Soviet Berlin Blockade led to the creation of the Western European Union Defense Organization in September of 1948. However participation by the United States was thought necessary in order to counter the military of the Soviet Union, and talks began almost immediately with America.

The mission of the NATO member nations was to "reaffirm their faith in the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area. They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defense and for the preservation of peace and security. They therefore agreed to this North Atlantic Treaty.

Clearly the mission of the treaty and the initial 12 member nations was not to make war, but rather to react to aggression attack whenever and wherever it might happen. A preemptive action was nowhere in any of the articles of the treaty. Countries were not allowed to make war on other nations for a "perceived" threat.

Robert Gates was brought up in the Cold War, the same as me, yet he chose a much different path then I did with regards to how one should conduct his life. Robert Gates was involved with the C.I.A. and now the defense department. His life's income is predicated on war, on conflict, on secrets, on forcing his way and ideals on others, at any cost.

To me, Robert Gates is everything that is wrong with the United States. He feels that, as a nation, we have Devin rights, we have an obligation to spread our brand of government, our economic system and probably even our religious beliefs. Robert Gates didn't start out like he now is, somewhere along the line he lost sight of the real value of life, all kinds of life and for that, I feel sorry for the man.