NATO represents a great opportunity for Spain
The best way to face the challenges caused by pandemics, climate change, new emerging technologies and fake news is under the imperative of producing jointly, coordinating difficulties, given that the future depends on all of us. The percentage of GDP allocated by the Spanish government to the Ministry of Defence is barely 1.17%, compared to 3.73% in the United States. It is a matter of endorsing a more political and militarily stronger NATO in order to resist, with fortitude, new threats in a new strategic context with Russia, China and Afghanistan.
The obstacles can be overcome now, more than ever. The various US Administrations are always urging our governments to increase defence spending, despite the negative impact of COVID-19. This is not a request unique to the Trump era. How far will it go? We need to invest more to achieve a common defence. NATO is reaching a larger dimension that will have to be maintained, and for this joint challenge, more resources and means are required. "Spain plays an essential role in NATO and we want to increase its defence capacity", Douglas Jones began his speech, going on to say that "Spain will continue to maintain its leadership role". Jones, the US representative in NATO, spoke at the 33rd International Seminar on Security and Defence, organised by the Association of European Journalists, on 29 and 30 June, under the title 'The American return to NATO, stimulus or anaesthetic? ´
The recent 'NATO 2030' document envisages new priorities such as greater coordination among allies, improvements in resilience, the fight against climate change, the renewal of the strategic concept, and the allocation of more resources to carry out these initiatives.
The Alliance has apparently identified two threats: Russia and jihadist terrorism. China is described as a 'challenge' rather than a military threat, although with a direct negative impact on NATO. "We stand ready to increase resilience to these coercive behaviours, direct investments and defence of critical infrastructure from China".
Increased defence spending requires that Spanish public opinion does not perceive it as propaganda. Hence the commitment to civil society to show facts about NATO. Europe will not retreat and must achieve a strong alliance; nor will it stand still and continue to move forward in its defence integration. The EU has only one option: to follow and it will not be easy because of the existence of different strategic cultures.
To face a new scenario (China's increased presence and Russia's defiant behaviour in interfering in electoral processes), the US representative to NATO, Douglas Jones, has urged all NATO member states to increase their defence spending by 2 per cent of GDP, a target set for 2024. "Neither we, nor Spain, will be able to cope on our own with the new scenario that we face”.
The US representative to NATO from Brussels, Douglas Jones, stressed that the Alliance represents a great opportunity for Spain in terms of defence relations with European partners. It is an essential asset for working together. We must modernise and adapt to modern challenges to be key to the future, as well as embrace NATO's new strategic concept. "I am announcing enhanced engagement on the ground, which is very important for Spain in its foray into North Africa and the Middle East," said Douglas Jones.
The new Biden Administration also said that the resilience of all allies will save lives, with NATO playing an essential role in addressing novel threats, coercive policies and destabilising destabilisation in the face of Russia's aggressive behaviour as a major threat to international security, as well as the increased presence of China, as alluded to in previous paragraphs. The Americans will never forget the aid provided by allied countries such as Spain after the attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11, or Spain's participation in the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Biden intends to deepen bilateral relations. "We are a consultative and coordinating forum for responses, and if Russia is willing to improve relations, so are we".
Carmen Chamorro García, CIP/ACPE board member and graduate in International Relations from SEI.