Summary
Europe is confronted with a ring of turmoil surrounding it from the East and the South. Conflicts and growing instability permeate the neighbourhood and our borders face increasing military and strategic peril. This volatile security environment presents complex challenges to our nations, it is stretching resources and defying cohesion among the Euro-Atlantic family of nations.
Bridge over Troubled Waters: The Future of the Euro-Atlantic Security
An assertive Russia continues to aggressively challenge and undermine the European security environment. Russia increasingly exercises its foreign policy through the use of military power and has been fuelling conflicts from Ukraine to Syria. Its policies and actions underline the need to ensure an effective NATO deterrence and defence posture and to counter Russia’s destabilising influence.
Instability continues to grow on the doorstep of the southern flank. The disintegration of states across the Mediterranean has resulted in a variety of transnational threats affecting Europe. The threat of terrorism is as acute as ever. At the same time, the unprecedented migration crisis has put European societies and the solidarity among European nations under serious strain.
In this situation the importance of a strengthened transatlantic alliance is as essential as ever. In July the Heads of State and Government of NATO member countries will meet in Warsaw to make important decisions concerning NATO’s strategic posture and capabilities. The Summit itself is no final station but merely a part of a continuous process to ensure the Alliance is up to the task.