Global Affairs

Nato at 70: Moment of crisis amid the celebration

When the Nato summit takes place in London tomorrow, leaders will be feting the military alliance for keeping the peace. But it is facing an existential crisis with two key leaders questioning the premise for its foundation.

LONDON • Summits of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), the United States-led military alliance in Europe, used to be fairly predictable affairs: Leaders of the bloc's member-states would get together for discussions on the topical matters, sign a communique which was negotiated well in advance and usually said little new, and then pose for a "family photograph" in which everyone smiled in a display of Western unity.

But as heads of state and government of Nato's 29 member-states gather in London tomorrow for a summit designed to celebrate the alliance's 70th birthday, old certainties are gone.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 02, 2019, with the headline Nato at 70: Moment of crisis amid the celebration. Subscribe