Politico reported earlier this year that according to Lieutenant Admiral Robert P. Bauer, Military Committee Chair of the North North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”), member countries need to be on “red alert” for war and to “expect the unexpected.”
He told military chiefs during a meeting in Brussels that in order to be fully effective, NATO needed a warfighting transformation, citing the need for public-private cooperation and the ramping up of defense readiness with more military exercises, industry partnerships and maintaining military troops on “high alert.”
The Politico article may be read HERE.
Business Insider reported Admiral Bauer’s comments from last fall that “from the first day of Russia’s war against Ukraine until the very last, and also during the many, many years after that, we [NATO] will support Ukraine in its rightful choice for freedom and democracy.” He also stated that after Sweden completed the process of joining NATO, the number of military personnel protecting NATO would increase to 3.5 million persons.
Since last fall, Sweden did become NATO’s newest member nation on March 7, 2024, bringing the total number of NATO member nations to 32.
The Business Insider article presents the view that history books will tell how Ukraine transformed modern warfare, according to Admiral Bauer.
The Business Insider article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, in recent history, arguments as to the continuing need for the NATO alliance have been made on both sides. The treaty, founded on April 4, 1949 by 12 original member nations under the authority of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, was known as “The Washington Treaty” or the “North Atlantic Treaty,” which formed the basis for the organization we know today as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO.
At the heart of the NATO treaty is the concept of “collective defense,” committing member states to protect each other militarily. Following WWII, the former Soviet Union’s aggression, including its division of Berlin, Germany (“Iron Curtain”) and its communist government became a serious concern to Western Allied Nations.
Today, considering Russian President Vladimir Putin’s apparent desire to relive the “glory days” of the former Soviet Union (“USSR”), and its brute-military-force approach – most obviously exemplified in its unprovoked attack and evil war being perpetrated against Ukraine – NATO is again, sadly, rejuvenated in its purpose and need.
The point? With the revival of human rights violations and terror in Afghanistan following the tragic and inept departure of U.S military forces last year, the ongoing intelligence and potential direct military threats posed by China and North Korea, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and now, the seemingly worldwide upsurge in Palestinian hate toward Israel – which has the potential to lead to yet another (God forbid) Holocaust, the need for a military alliance formed around freedom-loving countries seems very important once again.
As believers, we know that nothing is impossible for our God! If we pray for peace and wisdom, in Jesus’ name, the Father will hear and answer our prayers! Fighting is always an approach of last resort, but when fighting to preserve the peace against evil becomes necessary, then having the alliances and abilities to prevail is absolutely essential.
There is wisdom in Admiral Bauer’s warning for NATO member nations to be prepared for anything. History shows that having sufficient power to deter aggression from evil powers is so much better than needing to thwart an evil attack and realizing that you haven’t prepared and are unable to project a sufficient military response.
Let’s remember what scripture has to say about this:
Proverbs 13:20 (NKJV)
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, [b]ut the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
