NATO’s upcoming summit in Chicago on May 20-21, has been much publicized as the organization’s last chance to remain relevant amidst shifting economic and security climates.  The membership and thirteen partner nations will meet to tackle three significant challenges, among others:

(1) the transition in Afghanistan;

(2) maintaining and improving capabilities in a new age of austerity (“smart defense”); and

(3) the operational flexibility afforded by deeper and broader partnerships.

The ongoing transition in Afghanistan is pressing in the short-term, as France’s President Hollande attempts to renegotiate his country’s exit date and Pakistan agrees to reopen ground transport routes following an invite to the Chicago summit.  However, the issue garnering the most attention is that of the strength of the NATO alliance itself.  The US has initiated a “strategic pivot” towards Asia and the Pacific, while the majority of European members have failed to meet the 2% GDP benchmark in defense contributions.  The “smart defense” initiative is designed to decrease the financial burden of defense through specialization and increased coordination, but critics suggest that rather than bolster NATO’s current capabilities, the initiative will leave the organization with significant capability gaps resulting from a lack of political will and financing.  NATO has persevered through difficult times before, and some do see the organization’s current challenges as an opportunity for reinvention.  Whether the Chicago summit will set NATO on the path towards reinvention and reaffirm its relevance in the current security climate is yet to be seen.

ASP Fellow Joshua Foust will be attending the Chicago summit and providing daily podcasts summing up the day’s events.  Be sure to check ASP’s website to keep up on the latest.

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