NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a defensive collection of nations formed after World War II. It’s purpose was to defend democratic nations against aggression from the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. It was the Soviet military policy to make sure they outnumbered NATO forces 3:1. That would give them the option to attempt to overrun Western Europe at any given time. They had three soldiers, tanks, warplanes, helicopters and artillery pieces for every one that could defend Western Europe.
Some people believe since the end of the Cold War (1991) NATO no longer serves a purpose. This has been proven incorrect. The Russian Federation under former KGB agent and President for Life Vlad Putin has shown it’s aggressive and antagonistic stance toward the West. Putin has aligned his nation with regimes like North Korea, Iran and Syria. Putin has also been conducting adventures in Libya, Sudan and Nigeria.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine drove the point home. Faced with growing military threats posed by dictator run regimes the idea that NATO no longer has a purpose has been challenged. The fact is that no one nation of NATO could stand alone to the threat of invasion by a country like Russia. The fact that invasion of one NATO country would bring the wrath of all the rest discourages their expansionist ambitions.
That’s the key – if an aggressor nation attacks a NATO nation all of them will respond.
It’s true Ukraine is not in NATO, but the action has riled the member states. Warsaw is 428 miles from Kyiv. The Polish border is 284 miles from Kyiv. It is also true that as our world evolves we no longer want aggressor nations robbing others of their right to self-determination. Backing Ukraine has strategic and moral implications. It’s odd some of the same people who supported intervening in Iraq, and subsequently handing influence in the nation to Tehran backed Shi’ites, do not support assisting Ukraine. Ukraine needs weapons and materials to fight off an invasion by one of the largest nations in the world.
NATO nations has thrown it’s lot in with Ukraine. Western European governments, with history in mind, see the folly in appeasing Putin. The US is part of that alliance. NATO
NATO nations assisted the US in the folly of intervening in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now they, and Ukraine, need US help.
The credibility of NATO is on the line. If we don’t stick to our commitments we risk alienating other NATO nations and presenting an image of weakness to those that might threaten us in the future, encouraging hostilities into the unknown future.
If we put ourselves in the shoes of a Ukrainian, fighting to defend their homes and families, would we want the world to turn a blind eye to our plight?
It is not wise to allow people like Matt Gaetz, who make a show of flag waiving and purport to be patriots, to discourage us from our commitment to NATO. Or our commitment to democracy and self determination.