Happy 75th birthday, NATO — and many more 

When images of ordinary Russians began to flow massacred by terrorists At a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow, condolences poured in from all corners, including NATO, which issued the following statement:Nothing can justify such a heinous crime”

In a world of conflict, violence and terrorism, countries need to stand together.

This is what will happen next week 75 years Because NATO was created by the United States, Canada, and several Western European countries to provide collective security against the then-Soviet Union. And NATO has much to celebrate. The number of member countries has increased from the original 12 to 32. Sweden was the last to join..

But the Ukraine war gave it that mission. “Right of collective self-defense” New meanings will emerge and organizations will face threats in the coming years.

First, of course, is Russia.

A new report by the Institute for the Study of War warns that President Vladimir Putin: determined to fight against NATO, directly. “Several Russian financial, economic and military indicators suggest that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conventional conflict with NATO, and although it is not imminent, some Western analysts initially “This is likely to occur on a shorter timeline than anticipated,” the report said.

President Andrzej Duda of Poland sound the alarm For months, President Putin has called on member states to increase their contributions to NATO to 3% of GDP, anticipating a confrontation with Russia within two to three years.

In the latest risk escalation, Russian missiles fire towards Ukraine flew over Polish territory.Warsaw is considering letting NATO discuss shoot down an incoming missile Become a member country.

Meanwhile, the presidents of Latvia and Estonia told NATO, “Cold War Expenditure Levels” They are also discussing the right to collective self-defense and considering returning to military conscription in the Baltic states in preparation for a Russian invasion.

NATO’s second long-term problem is its relevance. Although its profile has increased further since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its public diplomacy, or explanation of its role in the world, still needs a serious boost, especially among young people.

For too long, NATO was best understood by elite foreign policy experts, leaving the public with a vague sense of its mission. For example, many people don’t know about NATO. tackle climate change We have our own fund for startups working on energy.

Knowledge about institutions creates support. For example, Americans with a bachelor’s or graduate degree are more likely to have a positive view of NATO than those with only college or less education. according to to the Pew Research Organization.

Europeans generally have positive views of NATO member states, according to a similar poll by Pew Research. 62 percent Has a favorable attitude towards military alliances.

The third and most existential crisis for NATO is political.

When it comes to NATO and the American political system, I know About how much support to provide. About three-quarters (76%) of Democrats have a favorable view of NATO, compared to 49% of Republicans. Among Republicans, moderates and liberals tend to have a more favorable opinion of the alliance than conservatives, and they now view NATO more highly than they did immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago. Fewer Republicans appreciate it.

Then there’s former President Donald Trump, who called for NATO in 2016. “abolition.”

After taking office, many NATO members complained of being disrespected by President Trump, and in the case of Montenegro, literally. “I was pushed” The summit called it a “small country” with “very aggressive people.”

Now, once again a candidate for the White House, Trump has again spoken negatively about NATO, saying: “Encourage” Russia attacks NATO member states that do not pay their financial obligations.But when pressed recently about NATO, Trump said reversed itself and acknowledged his support.

On the occasion of this 75th anniversary, NATO announced the following: ambitious agenda, laid out in it NATO 2030 Reportaims to be “ready, strong and united for a new era of increased international competition” in response to threats from terrorism, cyber and climate change, as well as regional challenges such as Russia and China. .

NATO recognizes the need to continually reinvent itself, and by expanding its membership, it appears positioned to lead the world’s pursuit of freedom at a pivotal time. The next summit to be held in Washington in July should start by clarifying what is needed. Ukraine to join NATO And how to prevent Russia from determining what happens in the West.

For now, our job is to support NATO and encourage this and the next generation of leaders to understand and embrace NATO.

Tara D. Sonnenschein is a senior fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.