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The Operation In Syria Splits Europe

By Arthur Dunn

At the Munich Security Conference 2011 NATO Secretary General Rasmussen introduced a new concept of defense, capable of creating more favorable conditions in the field of security with fewer resources through closer cooperation and flexible than it was before. It is based on the principle of differentiated responsibilities of the Alliance members with different capabilities, taking into account, in what areas they have an advantage. And the search for common ground with other organizations. In the first place with the European Union, whose interests in the field of security is largely coincide with those of NATO. But as for an organization such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization, NATO is still only prefers to develop bilateral relations with each of the members of this organization. Strengthening of cooperation with the countries of the CSTO is dictated by the situation in neighboring Afghanistan. As well as the modernization of NATO itself.

 

European countries should invest more in their defense capacities to be able to defend principles of democracy around the globe, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said. Rasmussen also emphasized the importance of NATO war games in the Baltic states and Poland.

 

NATO Secretary-General declared a new concept of smart defense. It demands of the Allies even closer cooperation and greater trust in each other. As an example of its military experts lead  opening in 2010 in the center of Prague, military logistics, and program Allied Ground Surveillance (NATO ground-based observations), which provides an array of the most advanced unmanned reconnaissance capabilities. And the air-policing mission in the Baltic States, in which different members of the NATO air force took turns patrolling the skies of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - are not able to create their own high-priced air force, but a position to set free money to strengthen other arms. Various members of NATO are focusing their financial resources in certain areas and at the same time working together in certain areas. For example, Lithuania, may invest more in special rapid reaction force. Her some divisions is well established in Afghanistan. But in many of NATO are in favor of that, after 2014 in Afghanistan was quite a large contingent. If all goes as planned, under the threat may be the main goal - to prevent Afghanistan again been a haven of terrorists. 

 

However, in the Alliance has serious problems. It showed the military operation in Libya and the current situation with Syria. NATO members cannot always find consensus on key issues, thus we can‘t speak about complete mutual understanding.

 

Therefore, one of the most important tasks of smart defense is a balance of American and European military capabilities. At the same time, each of the Alliance members should be assured that the partners are equally responsible approach to meet its obligations. Work together within the framework of NATO prevents the difference of views on defense and security. All acquire more relevant information, cyber and energy wars. The Alliance plans to create a cybernetic rapid reaction force. A common system of NATO cyber defense will be commissioned in the current year.

 

It is important that these types of aggression have become part of the general concept of security and that all countries have supported the creation of appropriate defensive systems and plans. This question is political. And he will long remain a serious obstacle to the realization of the concept of "smart defense". 

 

Thus, the Russian Foreign Ministry, which is also actively engaged in the research of this topic and the search for solutions to the problem, since 1998, put forward proposals at the international level - and above all the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, the "Group of Eight" - the question of the integrated delivery international information security. So far, Moscow has found understanding only in the framework of the CSTO and the SCO, which are actively engaged in studying the problem of preventing cyber warfare and counter them. 

 

The operation in Syria splits Europe. According to various sources, to date, to participate in a military operation against Syria without UN Security Council authorization, declined to a minimum of 12 NATO member countries. Today we can speak about participation in the coalition of France and Denmark (from the EU), as well as the Middle East bloc including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Perhaps Israel, which in the circumstances is rather inclined to defend than to attack. In this case, the Arab countries, Turkey and NATO in favor of a full-scale military intervention in Syria and for the unconditional overthrow of the Assad regime. Such a position may mean their unwillingness to participate in the operation, currently offered by Obama. Meanwhile, Iran and "Hezbollah" have expressed their intention to resist any international intervention in the Syrian conflict.  

 

The main initiators of the anti-Syrian campaign made ​​by the U.S and  Turkey. The main reason for dissatisfaction with the U.S. and its NATO allies, the regime of Bashar al-Assad were Iranian-Syrian strategic partnership.

 

At an informal meeting in Vilnius on September 6-7, the foreign ministers of the European Union, led by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

 

EU Foreign Ministers issued a statement on Syria , in which " on the basis of information from multiple sources," responsible for the chemical attack on August 21 in a suburb of Damascus advance was given to the government forces . At the same time , the document does not mention the possible forms of the use of military force against Syria.

 

It met with approval from the Secretary of State , John Kerry. At the press conference, he said he was pleased with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the EU common position on Syria .

 

However , a number of EU countries concerned about the unpredictability of the consequences of war in Syria, have taken a wait (Germany) or declared their non-participation in the alleged armed conflict. Which, however , at this stage of the partners in the EU and is not required.

 

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius after a meeting with John Kerry , said: " We do not need the material , military participation in the EU. Many of them do not have the resources . It is a question of political support. " 

 

Scenario development of the situation in Syria is that the success (or failure) of the Syrian campaign does not guarantee that the suffering of the Syrian people over. Rak the experience of post-war nation-building in Afghanistan and Iraq, to stabilize the situation will be very difficult. Therefore, none of the existing models of military intervention in Syria is not a guarantee that people will come to peace and stability. 

 

Spain, Portugal and Italy have joined the calls from NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to push forward proposals for a European defence policy The three countries' defence ministers said the EU needed a more strategic division of investments by military sector between member states.  20 years ago, Eastern Europe was a sensitive region, today the Middle East and North Africa represent the biggest instability risk in Europe’s immediate surroundings.  

 

The ministers addressed the need for a common European defense strategy and redefinition of the relationship between the EU and NATO on that matter.

 

Italy's Mario Mauro argued that a differentiation of the roles of each of the two organisations would make them both more effective in maintaining security on the world stage.

 

Currently, the 28 member states spend more on defense than Russia, China and Japan combined, but while these three countries have increased their defense budgets by more than 100% over the last ten years, EU States have been progressively cutting them down.

 

According to Mr. Mauro, the lack of a common European policy to maximise defense resources from each country, decrease spending, and avoid the duplication of efforts and capabilities are the biggest handicap for Europe in comparison with Asia. Better coordination would also allow more balanced spending and reallocation of funds to areas such as research and employment. Discussions are ongoing to "optimize" the conditions for the use of the EU Rapid Reaction Force.

 

Declining oil and natural gas will push the country to the fierce competition, predicts the Kremlin in his "National Security Strategy". Document foretells that this fight could materialize in the Arctic, as well as the Middle East, the Barents Sea and the Caspian Sea and Central Asia - and argues that Russia is ready to fight for their share of global resources. 

 

11.09.2013