From Nancy Walbridge Collins, New York Times:  NATO was the most successful military alliance in the 20th century, accomplishing its significant mission without bloodshed. In the 21st century NATO has become an impediment to a global security architecture of which it could be a cornerstone. . . .

[B]ecause the United States, and a few of its partners, have over-invested in NATO, no other alliance is yet comparable. Atlantic centrism has become an obstacle to international stability. . . .

The United States and other NATO members must significantly reduce their spending on NATO and reallocate savings (as well as add new money) to develop other regional security organizations. NATO should be one facet of a new global security architecture with security investments evenly distributed around the world.

Taking the best practices of NATO, this global group should respect universal rights of all individuals, conduct missions with core values of integrity and justice, preempt and deter vital threats, and, most important, resist violence as a means to settle differences and disputes. . . .

In sum, NATO is necessary. However, even more important is the development and global connectivity of all security partners. The seven-continent strategy is required to diffuse 21st century conflicts.

Nancy Walbridge Collins is a research fellow at Columbia University’s Saltzman Institute of War & Peace Studies.   (photo: Bundeswehr/Bienert)

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