NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today (Monday 8 June) launched his outline for NATO 2030 in an online conversation with the Atlantic Council and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. “This is an opportunity to reflect on where we see our Alliance ten years from now, and how it will continue to keep us safe in a more uncertain world. Stay strong militarily, be more united politically, and take a broader approach globally.” In his speech, Mr Stoltenberg stated that staying strong militarily means continuing to invest in our armed forces and modern military capabilities, which have kept us safe for over 70 years.
In a speech laying out his vision of NATO for 2030, Stoltenberg on June 8 called on the allies to continue to invest in their armed forces; use the alliance as the forum to discuss, and where necessary to act, on issues affecting their shared security; and work more closely with “like-minded” partners such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea to “defend the global rules and institutions that have kept us safe for decades.” the 30-member alliance must “stay strong militarily, be more united politically, and take a broader approach globally” in order to continue to “protect our democracies” in a “more competitive world.”
Strengthening NATO politically means using NATO as the forum to discuss, and where necessary to act, on issues affecting our shared security. Finally, making NATO a more global Alliance means working even more closely with like-minded partners to defend our values in a world of increased global competition. In December 2019, NATO Leaders invited the Secretary General to lead a forward-looking reflection process to strengthen NATO’s political dimension. Over the coming months, NATO will engage with Allies, public and private sector experts, and young leaders to provide fresh thinking on how to make sure NATO remains ready today to face tomorrow’s challenges.
The potential troop withdrawal from Germany was reported by The Wall Street Journal and Der Spiegel last week. It surprised some allies, who said the plan undermined NATO and boosted adversaries such as Russia, the Journal said on June 7. The newspaper reported on June 5 that U.S. President Donald Trump planned to move forward with the withdrawal of up to 9,500 U.S. personnel, while Der Spiegel said between 5,000 and 15,000 could be withdrawn later this year. Around 34,000 U.S. troops in all are stationed in Germany. The German government says it has yet to receive confirmation from Washington about the reports.
