2010年11月18日星期四

Can NATO Modernize Before It Becomes Obsolete?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) brands itself as the most successful military alliance in history, a bulwark of freedom and democracy for 61 years, and the coalition that won the Cold War without firing a single shot. But while the end of the Cold War made our world safer, it also made it more complex. Today, as sources of danger have diversified — from terrorism and piracy to cyberwarfare — NATO has been left looking flatfooted and ill-equipped to cope. More than two decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the alliance risks being seen as a relic. cheap ugg boots 2010

Which is why it is planning a reboot. At a summit in Lisbon on Nov. 19-20, Barack Obama will join the other leaders of the 28-nation alliance to agree on a new NATO mission statement that aims to reaffirm their core commitment to collective defense. Together they will usher in a new era with a 10-year "strategic concept" setting forth how NATO will tackle today's many challenges. They will agree on a leaner alliance — achieved by dismantling at least four of its 11 command bases — while modernizing weapons defense. And, in a sign of the new times, NATO allies are moving toward approving an anti-missile system, and they want Russia to join in creating such a shield.
(See pictures of Russia celebrating Victory Day.)

The aim, as NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Germany's Parliament last month, is to build "an alliance able to defend its members against modern threats, an alliance capable of managing even the most challenging crises." In practical terms, according to Rob de Wijk, a member of the Atlantic Council's Strategic Advisors Group, it means redefining NATO's underlying objectives, geographic reach and the military mechanisms. "The shift in emphasis from protecting territory to defending strategic interests requires NATO to transform the [territorial] armed forces of all member states into deployable armed forces, remove obstacles for risky 'away' operations and forge a new understanding of solidarity," de Wijk says.

The imperative to reform reflects the momentous changes in Europe and the world. Founded in 1949, NATO was initially a traditional alliance that ensured the collective defense of 15 nations against the threat of Soviet aggression. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO embraced many of the East European countries that were once harnessed to Moscow's yoke, and finally got to fight, in Bosnia and Kosovo. australia ugg boots 2010
(See more on NATO.)

But despite these milestones, NATO has struggled to adapt to the post–Cold War era. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, committing each member state to consider an attack against one state as an attack against all, was invoked for the first time after Sept. 11. That led to Afghanistan, a massive operation that has placed a huge strain on the alliance and fueled tensions on whether its future focus should be on distant missions or closer to home.

Earlier this year, a specially commissioned panel of experts called on NATO to become more versatile and efficient to cope with modern challenges including terrorism, cybercrime, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The panel, led by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, also said it must be better at communicating its achievements, or risk losing public support.

But as well as new security threats, NATO has had to cope with the new timidity of European nations when it comes to putting troops on the line, as the war in Afghanistan has revealed. Daniel Keohane, a senior research fellow at the E.U. Institute for Security Studies in Brussels, says Europe's public support is falling in part thanks to the draining Afghanistan campaign and the unpopular Iraq war. "Many Europeans no longer want to follow the U.S. on military operations if their core security interest is unclear or if they think they have little say over strategy," he says. That is mirrored in dwindling defense spending. Even with their Afghan commitments, total defense spending among NATO's European members fell from $311 billion in 2001 to $272 billion in 2009.
(See pictures of Afghanistan's dangerous Korengal Valley.)

In March, Rasmussen, a former Danish Prime Minister, cautioned that Europeans could not take the transatlantic alliance with the U.S. for granted. He said the E.U., which moved to establish a stronger defense and security policy under last year's Lisbon treaty, "will remain a paper tiger if it is not followed up by concrete contributions when we need concrete military contributions." cheap Moncler

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has regularly warned about the "demilitarization" of Europe. "My worry is that the more our allies cut their capabilities, the more people will look to the United States to cover whatever gaps are created," Gates said in Brussels last month.

At the same time, as the U.S. looks to Iran, the Middle East and the rise of China, "it has ceased to be full-time European power," says Mark Leonard, co-author of "The Spectre of a Multipolar Europe," a report published last month by the European Council on Foreign Relations. "Washington sees Europe as essentially 'fixed,' and thinks it is time for Europeans to step up to provide their own security."

Despite these existential questions, NATO has never been busier. There are some 120,000 international troops attached to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. NATO troops only left Bosnia in 2004, and they still turn out together for peacekeeping duty in Kosovo. And last year, NATO warships mounted anti-piracy patrols off Somalia.
(See pictures of Somali pirates.)

But all that might still not be enough. The question for Obama and the other leaders gathering in Lisbon will be whether they really mean what they say in their invigorating new mission statement or whether these recent NATO operations represent the last twitches of an ambivalent alliance. moncler jackets on sale

2010年11月16日星期二

Maynier chucked out of the House

Maynier, who has been on a crusade to force the defence minister to release explosive reports on morale in the military, was asked to leave the house after he refused to withdraw a remark in which he accused Sisulu of "telling a big political fib to parliament" over what is contained in the reports.nike air max 95 on sale

The two reports were compiled by the interim national defence force service commission, which Sisulu appointed last year to advise her on service conditions.

Maynier has been using the daily slot allocated to MPs to make statements on any issue, to quote from one of the reports - which he has in his possession.

Maynier yesterday quoted a paragraph from the report, which he said proved that the minister's assertion was a lie, referring to her contention that parliament cannot force her to release the defence reports as they have nothing to do with legislation currently before the defence portfolio committee .

"The fact is that the minister has been caught out telling a big political fib to this parliament," said Maynier. nike air max shoes for sale

Deputy Education Minister Enver Surty immediately took offence, requesting the Speaker to force Maynier to withdraw the remark as unparliamentary.

Speaker Max Sisulu then asked Maynier to withdraw the remark, saying he had failed to substantiate it. But the DA MP refused to comply with the Speaker's instruction.

The Speaker then ordered him to leave the National Assembly. cheap nike air max shoes

The DA stood by its man, however, saying it was the defence minister and not Maynier that needed to be rebuked by the house.

Maynier is not new to controversy. He crossed swords with ANC MPs last year after brandishing documents which he said proved the country had entered into arms deals with rogue states, some of them under UN sanctions.
Maseko spanks Northern Cape Youth League
"I'm reminded of a comment made by Plato in a book called The Republic. He said the worst thing anybody can do is to express a very strong opinion on something you know very little about," he told a media briefing on Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.

The matter was not discussed at Cabinet, he added. cheap nike shoes

The league's Northern Cape branch on Monday called Simelane a "rented dog of a political conspiracy" following the arrest of provincial ANC leader John Block on fraud charges. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu subsequently demanded the league apologise to Simelane.

But Northern Cape league chairman Shadrack Tlhaole refused, telling supporters after Block's court appearance on Wednesday: "The ANCYL is standing by its decision and will not apologise to anyone when we defend John Block".

Simelane was prosecuting Block and eight others for alleged tender fraud worth R112 million related to the purchase of water purification equipment for Kimberley Hospital, at inflated prices in 2005 and 2006. cheap nike air max 90

2010年11月1日星期一

U2 ticket sales smash SA record

Sales for the 22-time Grammy award-winning band, who are expected to perform their 360 Degrees tour in South Africa on February 13 in Johannesburg and 18 in Cape Town, started on Saturday. By yesterday, 114000 tickets had been sold. newest moncler 2010

Concert promoters Big Concerts' financial officer Justin van Wyk told The Times that "U2's tickets sales smashed the record that UK singer Robbie Williams held at 98000 from November 2005."

"This is the biggest event since the World Cup happened in our country and we are doing our best to make sure that everyone has their best experience of the show," he said.

This will be U2's second stop in South Africa, which will be very different from their last, as it will cost about R90-million to organise, including costs for transportation of the 200 crew members and the special stage to be shipped into the country.
Lee-Ann tweets: 'It's a girl'
The couple, who have been together for about a year, welcomed their daughter, Gia van der Walt, who was born yesterday at Johannesburg's Park Lane Hospital, weighing 3.26kg. moncler jassen 2010

The 27-year-old model wasted no time in telling her 8262 followers on social networking website Twitter when she updated her status at 11am, saying: "It's a girl."

Liebenberg also wrote: "My beautiful, perfect and healthy daughter was born this morning. Wow, I'm lost for words, wow wow wow."

The couple got engaged at the Rambagh Palace, in Jaipur, India, earlier this year.

The former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is said to have taken time off work to be a mother and will return to work early next year.

Van der Walt, 30, decided to give up the dangerous sport of polo in anticipation of becoming a father.

"This is the most breathtaking experience I have ever been through. Seeing Lee-Ann hold my daughter is the greatest moment of my life."

The couple plan to marry in March. moncler 2011
De Haan in hot water

Ajax Cape Town have landed in hot water as coach Foppe de Haan and four players will appear before the Premier Soccer League (PSL) disciplinary committee.

Hans Vonk, Brett Evans, Nazeer Allie, Sameehg Doutie and the Dutch mentor face charges of unsporting behaviour, using abusive language towards the referee and assistant referee as well as bringing the league into disrepute.moncler coats

This follows an incident that occurred in a PSL match between the Urban Warriors and Santos on 15 October at the Cape Town Stadium.

The People's Team were awarded a penalty in the Cape derby as Evans was adjudged to have pulled down Romano Scott in the box during injury time.

Replays have shown that it was wrong outcome, but nonetheless, the parties will be penalised for the reaction to the referee's decision.

The hearing will take place on Monday, 25 October, at 5.30pmmoncler down jacket