What is Behind NATO’s Announcement That it Will Become More Involved in the Middle East - Facilitating an American Pivot to Asia

NATO plans to take on a greater military role in the Middle East, according to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, following calls by the United States President Donald Trump on January 8th for the alliance to take more responsibility for security in the region. U.S. new outlet The Hill reported regarding a phone call made on the day by the president to the Secretary General in which the latter agreed to contribute more to the stability of the region, stating: “The President asked the Secretary General for NATO to become more involved in the Middle East. They agreed that NATO could contribute more to regional stability and the fight against international terrorism.” The call was later confirmed by White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere.

The Trump administration, and the Barak Obama administration before it, have made moves to withdraw from the Middle East to refocus attention towards greater threats to global Western primacy - namely those posed by the fast modernising economies of East Asia. Both have, despite these intentions, been forced to refocus their attentions towards the Middle East due to considerable threats to allies in the region. Moves to press NATO allies, namely European states such as Turkey and France, to take more responsibility for pursuing the Western Bloc’s interests in the Middle East, could be key to facilitating a more successful American ‘Pivot to Asia’ where its attentions are more urgently needed. On the basis of the recent military performances of European powers however, and the very limited ability of most to take part in major military operations without major U.S. support, it remains to be seen to what extent such an initiative can succeed.