In relation to this, I was thinking that Democracy Now might be improving
yesterday, when it mentioned Julian Assange. Alas, today, it spent an hour
with Masha Jessin, whose goal in life appears to be to spread anti Russian
feeling and hatred of Putin. I listened only to the first sentence or two,
but realized that I would not receive information, just propaganda. It's
not that I think Russia is an ideal country. I've visited there. It isn't.
It's that this new cold war is stupid and its only purpose is to enrich
military contractors.
Miriam
NATO SUMMIT: BUILDING UNITY AGAINST RUSSIA, CHINA, CYBERATTACKS
By Telesur English.
June 15, 2021 | EDUCATE!
Above Photo: Twitter @AJEnglish.
Representatives Of All 30 Members Of The Bloc Have Gathered In Brussels On
14 June To Discuss The Current Challenges That The Alliance Is Facing And
How They Will Address Them In The Coming Years.
NATO members at its first in-person gathering since 2018 have adopted a new
2030 strategic concept proposed by Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The
joint communiqué of the blocs 30 nations said that they agreed further to
strengthen NATO in the face of any threats.
[We will] strengthen NATO as the organizing framework for the collective
defense of the Euro-Atlantic area, against all threats, from all
directions, the statement said.
The alliance members have stated that they are facing systemic competition
from assertive and authoritarian powers as well as growing security
challenges. They specifically focused on Russia and China, among the leading
causes of their concerns, with a nod to the nuclear deal with Iran. While
also adding that terrorism, threats to the rules-based international
order, migration, and cybersecurity are also on the list of their top
priorities.
We are increasingly confronted by cyber, hybrid, and other asymmetric
threats, including disinformation campaigns, and by the malicious use of
ever-more-sophisticated emerging and disruptive technologies, the joint
statement said.
A continued confrontation with Russia based on the pretext of Moscow
allegedly engaging in behavior not compatible with international law is part
of the stated purpose for the ongoing decade. The member states agreed not
to return to the pre-2014 relations with the Kremlin unless it changes this
supposed behavior.
Bloc members also rejected a Russian proposal for mutual non-deployment of
missiles previously banned under the INF Treaty, abandoned by the U.S. in
2019. The joint statement claimed that the proposal is inconsistent with
Moscows actions.
The NATO countries further vowed to respond to the growing Russian missile
arsenal in a measured [and] balanced way while stressing that they have no
plans to deploy land-based nuclear weapons in Europe.
Regarding the other emerging world power, China, alliance members claimed
that the Asian nations goals and behavior present systemic challenges to
the rules-based international order. They accused Beijing of being involved
in coercive policies, covertly upgrading its armed forces, and using
disinformation to achieve its goals.
While the communiqué stops short of declaring China a NATO rival, it called
on the Asian country to act responsibly in the international system and
respect its commitments.
Chinas growing influence and international policies can present challenges
that we need to address together as an Alliance. We will engage China with a
view to defending the security interests of the Alliance, the statement
said.
The communiqué of the NATO members also endorsed efforts directed at
restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, also known as the
Iran nuclear deal), praising its non-proliferation benefits. They also
hailed efforts that have been made so far by the signatories to the
agreement and the U.S. aimed at salvaging the accord.
At the same time, the blocs members condemned Tehrans alleged involvement
in arming militant groups in the Middle East, including providing missile
technologies. They separately called on Iran to cease all missile activities
that go against UN Security Council Resolution 2231.