U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio thoroughly deserves the standing ovation he received on Feb. 14 at the annual NATO Munich Security Conference. From the start of his remarkably articulate, persuasive presentation, the tone was friendly if not accommodating, and he rightly emphasized that the ties that bind are far stronger than any forces pulling us apart.
He gave special emphasis to shared cultural heritage and commitment to the rule of law.
Early in the address, his statement that “the two great wars of the 20th century serve for us as history’s constant reminder that our destiny is and always will be intertwined with yours” brought sustained applause.
Rubio reiterated areas of serious disagreement, including climate policy and alleged supply chain insecurity, and media comments predictably have highlighted such matters. This overlooks the fundamental fact that disagreements among allies are inevitable, and shared institutions exist to try to reconcile differences.
The conference represents the durability of NATO. The alliance was founded in 1949, to resist expansion of the Soviet Union.
An immediate impetus was Moscow’s 1948 blockade of West Berlin; divided Berlin was located deep inside the Soviet occupation zone of divided Germany. More broadly, however, the comprehensive Cold War had already begun — Rubio underscored this history of division of Europe.
Originally envisioned as temporary, pending a comprehensive peace settlement after victory over Nazi Germany, the occupation zones solidified and East-West division endured throughout the Cold War. The end of that conflict followed the people’s dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the reunification of Germany and finally the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Alliances involve tensions and conflicts, inevitably, as officials regularly point out. Recent Republican administrations have been relatively challenging. President Donald Trump has been harshly, publicly disruptive in vocally pressing Europeans to devote more to defense. In fact, during the Cold War, West Europe, especially West Germany, directly supported several hundred thousand U.S. troops on their territory.
The alliance is fundamentally anomalous. An organization founded to oppose Soviet expansion saw that mission end successfully several decades ago, yet continues to exist. Cold War victory has resulted in debate about best future roles, not abandonment of the institution.
Terrorist killers on 9/11 triggered NATO for the first time to defend an ally under attack. French aircraft patrolled North American skies to free Americans' for attacks in Afghanistan, which became a NATO theater of operations. After 9/11, Munich themes expanded to include cooperation to fight terrorist groups.
Source: Korea Times News
