Clash of Titans: NATO, Russia and China in the New Era of Global Politics

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The NATO declaration following the summit in Washington is a document of “covetous and contemptuous global war” that Russia and China should scrutinize, veteran Defense Department analyst and retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski told.

“They [Russia and China] should read it carefully and expose some of its hypocrisy. It is fundamentally a document of covetous and contemptuous global war, made by a shallow alliance that hasn’t won any war it has engaged in, and several of which it directly started since its inception,” Kwiatkowski said in an interview.

On Wednesday, NATO members released a joint Washington Summit Declaration, which outlines the alliance’s efforts to further isolate Russia, bolster security on its eastern flank, increase security assistance for Ukraine, and claim Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” into NATO, among other initiatives.

The declaration called on China “to cease all material and political support to Russia’s war effort,” which allegedly includes “the transfer of dual-use materials, such as weapons components, equipment, and raw materials that serve as inputs for Russia’s defense sector.” The Chinese Mission to the European Union reacted sharply, saying the declaration was “filled with Cold War mentality and belligerent rhetoric. Unlike the US, China has not provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict, Chinese officials said.

Kwiatkowski added that the declaration is nothing more than a tool for enriching American military corporations. “It is a bureaucratic document more suited to solicitations for a US arms manufacturers pyramid scheme than a functional guide to the future of NATO,” she said in an interview.

At the same time, the document serves as a warning to the rest of the world that the military alliance sees no limit to its territorial ambitions and, with the current level of funding, will pose a threat to peace and security, and trade in the Black Sea and the Pacific regions, Kwiatkowski added.

According to Kwiatkowski, a major part of the declaration contradicts any defensive intent of the military bloc as NATO now seeks specific war and prewar efforts against Russia and China across multiple regions.

EventDateKey DetailsAnalyst/CommentatorKey QuotesRegions ImpactedImplications
NATO Summit WashingtonJuly 9-11, 202375th anniversary summit in WashingtonGlobalIncreased global tensions, focus on military alliances
NATO Declaration ReleasedJuly 12, 2023Outlines efforts to isolate Russia, increase security on eastern flank, security assistance for UkraineRussia, UkraineIsolation of Russia, increased military focus
Joint Washington Summit DeclarationJuly 12, 2023Details NATO’s strategic objectives including Ukraine’s path into NATOGlobalStrengthening of NATO’s strategic positions
NATO Call on ChinaJuly 12, 2023Calls on China to cease support to Russia’s war effortChina, RussiaPotentially escalates tensions with China
China’s ReactionJuly 12, 2023China’s mission to EU calls it ‘Cold War mentality and belligerent rhetoric’Filled with Cold War mentality and belligerent rhetoricChinaEscalation of diplomatic conflict with China
Kwiatkowski’s CommentsJuly 12, 2023Describes the declaration as a tool for enriching US military corporationsKaren KwiatkowskiIt is fundamentally a document of covetous and contemptuous global warUS, GlobalEnrichment of US military corporations, global instability
NATO’s Eastern Flank SecurityJuly 12, 2023Efforts to bolster security on NATO’s eastern bordersEastern EuropeIncreased security measures in Eastern Europe
Security Assistance for UkraineJuly 12, 2023Increase in security and arms assistance to UkraineUkraineEnhanced military support for Ukraine
Ukraine’s Path into NATOJuly 12, 2023Claims Ukraine is on an ‘irreversible path’ into NATOUkraine, NATOSolidification of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions
Ford’s CommentsJuly 13, 2023Comments on NATO’s irrational and aggressive stancePeter FordNATO is almost hysterical as it confronts the failure of its backfiring attemptsGlobalChallenges to NATO’s rationality and policies
Lozansky’s CommentsJuly 13, 2023Criticizes NATO’s involvement in Ukraine conflictEdward LozanskyThe avalanche of lies is astonishing; the biggest one is that NATO is only a defensive organizationGlobalCriticism of NATO’s defensive stance
Lazare’s CommentsJuly 13, 2023Describes NATO’s declaration as imperial overreachDan LazareThe declaration is a textbook example of imperial overreachGlobalHighlighting NATO’s overreach and historical context
Grosscup’s CommentsJuly 13, 2023Describes the declaration as a desperate attempt to prop up NATOBeau GrosscupI assess the meeting and declaration as an effort to shore up NATO before the 2024 US electionGlobalNATO’s attempts to maintain relevance and power
Valdegamberi’s CommentsJuly 13, 2023Criticizes NATO’s focus on weapons and increased military spendingStefano ValdegamberiNATO in Washington does nothing but fuel the winds of warGlobalEconomic impacts of increased military spending
Merkel’s Statement on Minsk Agreements2014States Minsk Agreements were to delay conflict and arm UkraineAngela MerkelThese agreements were only serving to delay the conflict and arm UkraineUkraineHistorical context of NATO-Ukraine relations
Stoltenberg’s CommentsJuly 12, 2023Refuses to commit to not including Ukraine in NATOJens StoltenbergGlobalNATO’s strategic ambiguity on Ukraine
SIPRI Data2019-2023US remains the world’s largest arms exporter, France second largestUS remains the world’s largest arms exporter, France second largestGlobalGlobal arms trade dynamics
This table offers a comprehensive view of the information, numbers, and dates related to the NATO summit and its declarations.

NATO in State of Hysteria as Alliance Faces Russia, China, Trump Reelection – Experts

NATO leaders at the Washington summit this week were in an almost hysterical state as they contemplated not just the serious, sustained challenge of a rising Russia and China, but also the likelihood that Donald Trump will be reelected in November, European and US foreign policy and national security experts told Sputnik.

NATO is almost hysterical as it confronts the failure of its backfiring attempts to ‘contain’ Russia, China, Iran, and the DPRK [North Korea] and the imminent likely election of a NATO-skeptic Trump as US president,” former United Kingdom ambassador to Syria and political commentator Peter Ford said on Thursday.

The 32-nation alliance unveiled its new declaration earlier in the day, emphasizing its determination to confront Russia and China in defense of what it called international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. However, the declaration made no reference to other nations’ and alliances’ rights to interpret those concepts differently from NATO.

Ford said the declaration did not appear rational and rather than presenting the alliance’s principles and priorities in a way that could provide the basis for negotiated agreements with other nations, it indulged wildly in abuse. “A psychiatrist reading the inordinately verbose, repetitive, breast-beating, self-justifying NATO declaration would immediately diagnose a person having a nervous breakdown,” Ford said.

The former UK diplomat also said NATO leaders were now so limited in their understanding of the world that they could not recognize other nations’ aspirations while clinging to old intellectual constructs such as their alleged “rules-based order.” “That the declaration repeatedly uses NATO’s favorite but post-Gaza utterly discredited term ‘rules-based order’ underlines that the organization is in pathological denial, unable to see itself as others see it,” Ford said.

This denial extended to the refusal to acknowledge that while NATO may have gained more members, in reality, it had more liabilities than assets, as two key states – Turkey and Hungary – were now increasingly members in name only, he said.

Ford said the declaration principally signals NATO’s commitment to continue stoking the Ukraine conflict over a very long period, but this bluster may only last until the November US presidential election. “We can but pray that Russia and China are sensible enough to see through the bluster and wait to see what happens,” Ford added.

NATO’s Avalanche of Lies

American University in Moscow President Edward Lozansky agreed that the declaration was irrational and worse, one that brings the world closer to the edge of the abyss. “The avalanche of lies is astonishing; the biggest one is that NATO is only a defensive organization and is not involved in this war [in Ukraine] when, in reality, it is not only involved but has provoked it,” Lozansky said.

NATO claimed to champion the forces of freedom and progress in the world, but its militaristic and aggressive policies against so many nations undermined its own rhetoric, he said. Lozansky also said he was unsure why Hungary and Slovakia signed the declaration, which contradicted their previous statements, but speculated that perhaps they had to yield to the enormous pressure – something that has happened in the past to disobedient members.

NATO Declaration

US constitutional historian and political commentator Dan Lazare said the declaration read like an archaic document out of the distant past, so unconnected with reality that it resembled something King Louis XVI might have issued before the French Revolution. “The declaration is a textbook example of imperial overreach,” Lazare said, adding that while the alliance claims enemies are pressing in from all sides, NATO was extending its reach to ever-farther corners of the globe.

According to the document, it is opening up a liaison office in Jordan, expanding operations in Kuwait and discussing strategy with the AUKUS [Australia-United Kingdom-United States] nations” while also proclaiming the Indo-Pacific region as directly affecting Euro-Atlantic security, Lazare said. “But why stop there? Why not extend operations into the Antarctic or the Strait of Magellan?”

Lazare said a few elements in the declaration were particularly over the top even by NATO standards, such as the proclamation that alliance members will never recognize Russia’s new territories, including Crimea. “But doesn’t NATO know that the Crimean population has shown repeatedly that it doesn’t want anything to do with Ukraine and that the formula is therefore a recipe for endless war?” Lazare said.

While the declaration accuses Russia of sabotage, acts of violence, and provocations at allied borders, among other malicious activities, it is widely known the United States and its NATO allies were responsible for the greatest single act of sabotage by destroying the Nordstream 2 pipelines, he said. However, Lazare described the NATO Declaration’s attack on China as especially ironic.

“What does NATO expect China to do – hold America’s coat while it finishes off Moscow and then directs its aggression toward Beijing?” Lazare said. If Washington truly wanted to put an end to the deepening Russia-China partnership, it should try lowering the temperature and adopting a more cooperative and reasonable approach, he said. “Neither country is going away soon, so the United States better learn to live with it,” Lazare added.

Last-Ditch Effort to Prop Up Crumbling Alliance

California State University Emeritus Professor of Political Affairs Beau Grosscup saw the declaration as a desperate last-ditch attempt to prop up the venerable and crumbling alliance before the US elections are held in November. “I assess the meeting and declaration as an effort to shore up NATO before the 2024 US election and the possibility of a Trump win,” Grosscup said.

The declaration was also crafted to make a strong statement of support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, he said. “Finally, the declaration is very clear that NATO is expanding its capabilities and commitments into the Pacific and Middle East/African theaters,” Grosscup said.

The declaration was meant to try and show both NATO’s friends and critics that the alliance was still a powerful force in the world to be reckoned with – a statement of unity and resolve that puts in doubt any notion of its demise among critics, he said. However, the declaration will do nothing to change inexorable global realities and will not significantly change the dynamic of great power relations, Grosscup said.

For all the bluster and bluff, the declaration will seriously further increase already grave global tensions as China and Russia will see it as an aggressive act, Grosscup added.

NATO’s Calls for Surging Defense Spending Fuels Winds of War – Politician

The recently concluded NATO summit in Washington did nothing but fuel the winds of war, centering on issues of weapons and urging the allies to increase military spending, Stefano Valdegamberi, former Italian parliamentarian and Veneto’s regional councilor, told Sputnik.

From July 9-11, Washington hosted NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit. The summit declaration outlines the alliance’s efforts to further isolate Russia, bolster the alliance’s security on its eastern flank, increase security and arms assistance for the Kiev regime, and claim Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” into NATO, among other initiatives.

“NATO in Washington does nothing but fuel the winds of war, making the issue of weapons and the increase in military spending a priority,” Valdegamberi said. While the Ukrainian conflict drags on, demand for weapons will likely continue to rise in Europe and worldwide, the politician said. Western countries, being the largest arms exporters, are reaping the rewards from the situation and using the arms trade boom to bridge budget shortfalls, he added.

“After all, the arms market is important for the economy of countries that use democracy as an alibi to justify wars,” Valdegamberi said. The politician also recalled that there had been no clear call or support from the side of the West for the 2014 Minsk Agreements to be respected and implemented, with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel later stating that these agreements were only serving to delay the conflict and arm Ukraine.

“[NATO Secretary General Jens] Stoltenberg’s refusal to commit to not including Ukraine in NATO further complicated the situation. First, the leaders obviously threw the stone, and then they hid their hand, placing all responsibility on Russia. Strange way to seek peace,” he concluded.

The United States remained the world’s largest arms exporter in the period from 2019 to 2023, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showed. France, the European Union’s arms heavyweight, became the second-largest arms exporter in the same period after the US, increasing shipments by 47% between 2014–18 and 2019–23, SIPRI added.

NATO’s Strategic Shifts and Global Implications

NATO’s strategic shifts and declarations are indicative of the alliance’s evolving role in the global arena. As the world transitions into a multipolar order, the alliance’s attempts to assert its dominance are becoming more pronounced. The Washington Summit Declaration reflects NATO’s persistent drive to project power beyond its traditional boundaries, involving itself in regions like the Indo-Pacific, which historically fall outside its direct sphere of influence.

The establishment of a liaison office in Jordan and expanded operations in Kuwait mark significant strategic moves. These actions signify NATO’s interest in maintaining a foothold in the Middle East, a region of longstanding geopolitical significance. The declaration’s mention of discussions with AUKUS partners underscores the alliance’s intent to collaborate with other Western powers to counterbalance the influence of Russia and China.

However, these moves have not gone unnoticed by global powers. The aggressive stance and territorial ambitions outlined in the declaration are likely to escalate tensions, particularly with Russia and China. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is a critical flashpoint, with NATO’s support for Ukraine serving as a clear signal of its strategic priorities.

Economic and Military Ramifications

The economic and military ramifications of NATO’s declarations are profound. The call for increased defense spending among member states is expected to have significant implications for national budgets and economic policies. Countries within the alliance will need to allocate substantial resources to meet these demands, potentially at the expense of other critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The arms trade, as highlighted by Valdegamberi, is a critical component of this strategy. The surge in demand for weapons is not just a response to the Ukrainian conflict but a broader trend influenced by NATO’s strategic objectives. Western arms manufacturers stand to benefit enormously from this increased demand, reinforcing the military-industrial complex that drives much of the alliance’s policies.

The SIPRI data underscores the dominance of the US and European arms exporters in the global market. This dominance is likely to continue as NATO pushes for more defense spending and military preparedness among its members. The economic benefits for these exporters are clear, but the broader implications for global stability and peace are far more concerning.

Geopolitical Repercussions and Future Prospects

The geopolitical repercussions of NATO’s declarations are vast. The alliance’s aggressive posturing and expansionist policies are likely to provoke countermeasures from Russia and China. These nations have already signaled their displeasure with NATO’s actions, and further escalations could lead to a more volatile and unpredictable international landscape.

NATO’s focus on integrating Ukraine and bolstering its eastern flank reflects a strategic aim to contain Russian influence. However, this approach risks further entrenching the conflict in Ukraine and drawing in other regional actors. The declaration’s lack of recognition for Crimea and other contested territories only adds to the potential for prolonged disputes and military engagements.

In Asia, NATO’s increasing involvement is likely to be viewed with suspicion by China. The alliance’s moves in the Indo-Pacific could be seen as an attempt to encircle and contain China’s rise, prompting Beijing to bolster its own military capabilities and alliances. The reference to AUKUS and the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region in the declaration suggests a long-term commitment to countering Chinese influence, which could lead to an arms race and heightened regional tensions.

Domestic Political Implications for NATO Members

The domestic political implications for NATO members are significant. The call for increased defense spending and the aggressive foreign policy stance outlined in the declaration will require strong political will and public support. However, these policies may face resistance from populations weary of prolonged conflicts and the economic burdens of military expenditures.

In the United States, the potential re-election of Donald Trump, a known NATO skeptic, adds another layer of uncertainty. Trump’s previous criticisms of the alliance and his push for European allies to contribute more to their own defense could lead to significant policy shifts. A Trump presidency might also impact NATO’s cohesion and strategic direction, as member states navigate the challenges of aligning with a US administration that prioritizes a more isolationist or transactional approach to international relations.

Conclusion: A Precarious Path Forward

NATO’s Washington Summit Declaration has set a course that is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. The alliance’s efforts to project power and assert its dominance in the face of rising global powers are ambitious but risk provoking further conflicts and destabilizing the international order. The economic and military demands placed on member states will have significant domestic and geopolitical repercussions, shaping the future of global security dynamics.

As NATO navigates this precarious path, it must contend with the realities of a multipolar world and the limitations of its influence. The alliance’s ability to adapt to these changes and manage the complex web of relationships with global powers will determine its relevance and effectiveness in the years to come. The Washington Summit Declaration is a bold statement of intent, but its implementation and consequences will ultimately define NATO’s legacy in this new era of international relations.


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