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New NATO Strategic Concept Targets Russia, China
Strengthened deterrence and defence, more support for Ukraine, invites for Finland and Sweden.
NATO leaders took far-reaching decisions to continue adapting the Alliance in the first working session at the Madrid Summit. Allies endorsed NATO's new Strategic Concept, the blueprint for the Alliance in a more dangerous and competitive world. They also decided a ''fundamental shift in our deterrence and defence'', underpinned by increased defence investment and common funding, as well as more support to Ukraine for the longer term.
U.S. to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat
President Biden said that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the opening of the alliance's annual leaders' summit in Madrid, Mr. Biden said "NATO is strong and united" and that steps to be taken during the gathering will "further augment our collective strength."
Mr. Biden opened his participation in the summit by announcing the permanent basing of a U.S. military garrison in Poland. He also said the U.S. is sending two additional F-35 fighter jet squadrons to the UK and will send more air defense and other capabilities to Germany and Italy.
Nato leaders voice concern about threat China poses to world order for first time
While Russia’s war against Ukraine has dominated discussions at the Nato summit, China earned a place among the western alliance’s most worrying security concerns.
“We now face an era of strategic competition … China is substantially building up its forces, including in nuclear weapons, bullying its neighbours, including Taiwan,” Stoltenberg said. “China is not our adversary but we must be clear-eyed about the serious challenges it represents.”
The alliance’s last blueprint – or strategic concept – was agreed to in 2010 and did not mention China. The new one states that China’s policies challenge Nato’s interests, security and values, though Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to security.