World Affairs International

A NATO foreign affairs officials meeting took place, with NATO member-states joining representatives from Australia, Finland, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Ukraine, and the European Union.

Discussed in the meeting was NATO’s continued supplying of Ukrainian troops and training. The United States recently confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers were being trained in the United States on a currently unknown timeline to be sent to Ukraine.

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated British, American, and Ukrainian concerns that the war would become a long, protracted conflict. He stressed no indication that Putin’s military ambitions were changing regarding a complete takeover.

Asia-Pacific

NATO’s stated coordination with Pacific partners, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, was particularly of interest. NATO’s direct stance against China’s influence could be considered a significant step in the joint American-European security concerns in East Asia. Stoltenberg pledged to work on issues relating to cybersecurity, maritime security, disinformation, and climate change, as well as “resilience.” In light of the U.S.-U.K.-Australian nuclear alliance recently declaring a vested interest in hypersonic missile technology, such “resilience” activities could indicate a greater role for NATO allies in helping the United States and United Kingdom support East Asia’s security.

Many citizens in Chinese forums have cited the war in Ukraine in various disparaging terms. Still, even those who claim to lament the conflict seem to view it as a necessary Russian victory to prevent Taiwan from becoming emboldened. Yet the opposite is true; Ukraine’s overwhelming success could close all military paths China could take towards the annexation of Taiwan, particularly if NATO is able to take a more global stage. The world has become globalized and interdependent, with geopolitical disturbances being felt across continents, calling NATO’s strictly European concerns into question. With the unanimous consent of its member states, NATO could become a crucial force for deterrence and collective security in East Asia, becoming an arsenal and umbrella for democracy in a multilayered approach throughout the Pacific.