Nato faces dilemma on Russia

Commentary feature following a meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Slovakia, October 2009. The writer says that NATO is facing the question in the 21st century - what is NATO for? and also what should its relationship be with Russia?

Author says that Barack Obama’s administration wants it both ways in Europe: Nato solidarity, and re-engagement with Russia.

The two ambitions will be very hard to reconcile, as long as Russia is determined to flex its muscles and bully its near-abroad neighbours.

NATO: Informal meeting of NATO Defence Ministers, Bratislava, Slovakia, 22-23 October 2009 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID-670A7F01-563D311D/natolive/events_58175.htm

http://www.nato.int/strategic-concept/index.html http://www.nato.int/strategic-concept/index.html

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