Highlights
• Following the attacks on 9/11, former high ranking NATO commanders believe NATO must consider pre-emptive nuclear attacks
• The commanders argue that the West is losing the war against extremism and fanaticism, and better unity is needed to combat these threats
• The new plan will be highly controversial, but could lead to increased military cooperation between the US and Europe in the Global War on Terror
A new document, written by former armed forces chiefs from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands believe that a pre-emptive nuclear strike will remain an “indispensable instrument.” In its newly released plan, the group calls for a radical reform of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and improved US and European diplomatic relations. The document has already been presented to the Pentagon and NATO’s secretary general and will be further discussed at a NATO summit in April 2008.
While a new approach to traditional military strategies, the proposed plan will likely not have much impact on preventing future terrorist attacks or containing the growth of radical Islam.
The Players and Their Fears
The new plan was written by US Army General John Shalikashvili, the former chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff and NATO’s ex-supreme commander in Europe; General Klaus Naumann, Germany’s former top soldier and ex-chairman of NATO’s military committee; General Henk van den Breemen, a former Dutch chief of staff; Admiral Jacques Lanxade, a former French chief of staff; and Lord Inge, field marshal and ex-chief of the general staff and the defense staff in the United Kingdom (UK). In creating the new plan, all five former commanders paint an alarming picture of threats and challenges confronting the West following September 11, 2001.
The group argues that the West’s values and way of life are under threat. The commanders also believe that the West is struggling to summon the will to defend these values. According to the group’s proposed strategy, the key threats facing the West are political and religious fundamentalism, organized crime, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, global warming and the weakening of the nation state and organizations such as NATO.
The Plan
The radical plan advocated by the group calls for massive NATO reform, and greater unity between the US, NATO and the European Union. Aside from a “first strike” nuclear option, they argue for a few major changes.
• First, they believe that consensus decision-making needs to be replaced by simple majority voting, for quicker action.
• Second, they recommend the abolition of national caveats in NATO operations, caveats the authors believe adversely impact the Afghanistan campaign.
• Third, to combat the increasing lack of cooperation in Afghanistan and other campaigns, all alliance members not involved in the operation will have no role in decision making.
• Finally, and most radical of all, the five commanders call for immediate NATO action without United Nations Security Council (UNSC) authorization.
Outlook
While former top commanders wrote the manifesto, the document has and will continue to receive serious consideration among active military officials, particularly from the US. The document is revolutionary in its approach, and if approved by NATO, will greatly alter the international scene. The acceptance of the plan would give NATO increased authority and bring more credibility to the Bush Doctrine policy of preemptive strikes.
A public announcement of a pre-emptive nuclear strike policy will have a tremendous impact around the world, but it will not likely deter terrorists. The document will remain highly controversial and as more media attention is given to the plan, European nations and possibly even the US will back off.
Regardless, even if the plan is rejected, it shows the growing frustration of NATO forces in the Global War on Terror and that top military leaders are beginning to rethink military strategy.
