NATO summit: Bauer calls for drastic increases in armaments for peace!

NATO summit: Bauer calls for drastic increases in armaments for peace!

In a world characterized by uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, NATO plays a central role. This week, more specifically on the first day of the NATO summit in The Hague, the new book was launched by Admiral Rob Bauer, former chairman of the NATO Military Committee. "If You Want Peace, Prepare for War. A Blueprint for Deterrence," co-authored with Eleonora Russell, takes a penetrating look at the current security situation and the need for increased military readiness.

Admiral Bauer, who headed the NATO Military Committee from 2021 to January 2025, worries about Europe's military future in an interview with Handelsblatt. With the clear demand that military spending should increase to five percent of gross domestic product (GDP), he emphasizes that this must not jeopardize social policy investments in education and health. Ukraine in particular, which already spends 35 percent of its GDP on the war, serves as an example of the urgency of such a drastic measure to prevent future conflicts.

Deterrence and preparation for emergencies

Admiral Bauer knows what he's talking about. He compares the current geopolitical situation to the Cold War and expresses concern that Europe could find itself in such a conflict again. Looking back on the story, he mentions the sentence: “I don’t want to have to learn Russian,” and connects this with the motto of the time “Better dead than red.” So these words are not a random interjection, but have weight in the current discourse on international peace and security.

NATO is pursuing a holistic approach. At the NATO summit in Madrid in 2022, a new strategic concept was adopted that addresses the risks posed by authoritarian regimes and the rise of China. At the same time, Russia is identified as a key threat. NATO relies on a 360-degree approach to threat perception and aims to defend every square meter of alliance territory. This also includes increasing troops in eastern member states and strengthening air defense and long-range capabilities to counter impending attacks.

The strategic direction of NATO

In order to respond appropriately to the threats from Russia and China, Bauer calls for not only military but also economic and social preparations. Member states should be able to eliminate weapons facilities before they can be used against the alliance. Companies are required to adapt their production and supply chains in order to be less vulnerable to possible blackmail by authoritarian states.

The challenges facing NATO today are not just military. Hybrid threats that include cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns make the security situation complex. The unclear response to such threats unwittingly leaves room for speculation and potential risks. Admiral Bauer warns that a close dependence on supplies from China could endanger Europe's stability.

In summary, in recent years NATO has taken a direction aimed at collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security. However, the success of this strategy depends not only on military resources, but also on the resilience of the economy and the political resolve of member states. It remains to be hoped that Admiral Bauer's suggestions will be heard and effectively put into practice.

For more information on the NATO summit's focus and Admiral Bauer's reflections, you are welcome to read the full article Young world, Focus and bpb to read.