NATO and the Muslim world Colonel ITA A (ret.) Giuseppe MORABITO NATO Defence College Foundation

NATO’s enlargement

NATO and Partners NATO’s enlargement and partnership policy are tools to promote security and stability PfP Russia – Suspended Ukraine Georgia Mediterranean Dialogue Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Partners around the Globe International Organisations (UN, OSCE, EU, AU, Arab League, GCC)

NATO Partnerships

Mediterranean Dialogue EGYPT JORDAN ISRAEL MAURITANIA MOROCCO TUNISIA ALGERIA

Istanbul Cooperation Initiative BAHREÏN KUWAIT Q A T A R UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Partners Around the Globe MONGOLIA JAPAN SOUTH KOREA AUSTRALIA AFGHANISTAN NEW ZEALAND PAKISTAN IRAQ

Misperceptions of NATO NATO is a Military Alliance

Misperceptions of NATO NATO is run by the USA Origin: Widespread and common belief. NATO sometimes seen as extension of US Imperial policy US is the largest Ally – assumption that the US would not join/stay if it weren’t in control Has the largest economy. Spends most on defence by far – over 70% of the pie

Misperceptions of NATO NATO is an aggressive Alliance Origin Sometimes linked with the notion of US domination Idea that NATO is seeking to conquer/control Grounded in old power politics – not enough to exist or prosper. Zero sum. Must want to grow empire

Misperceptions of NATO Russia is the enemy Origin Perhaps most common misperception today – very prominent Historical roots - while Soviet Union not mentioned in treaty, people think back to the words of Lord Ismay – NATO was founded “to keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down.” Russia promotes this misperception – NATO as aggressor, encircling Says NATO broke promises with enlargement

Misperceptions about NATO NATO and EU are competitors Origins Early days of EU security policy, concern over duplication (Albright)

Misperceptions of NATO Partnerships are a one-way street Origins Belief that NATO uses partnerships to increase the resource pool for operations or to gain influence

Misperceptions of NATO NATO is a Christian club Origins Conflation of NATO and the West – the West with Judeo-Christian traditions

Misperceptions of NATO NATO has no regard for Muslim lives Origins Civilian casualties in AFG No follow on mission in Libya No earlier involvement in Iraq and Syria

WHAT REALLY GUIDES NATO “Events, my boy, events …” Harold Macmillan, UK Prime Minister (1957-1963)

WHY PREDICTION IS NECESSARY “My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” - Charles F. Kettering, American inventor

POLITICS OF PERCEPTION

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