A 21st Century Iron Curtain? Looking at the Future of NATO

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has profoundly altered the European security order and ushered in what is effectively a 21st century Iron Curtain over the continent. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) must now reconsider both its strategic confrontation with the Kremlin and how it upholds the alliance’s promise of collective security.

Greater pressure has been put on NATO member states who are on the frontline, including Bulgaria and Estonia. Frontline states now require more support from the alliance to uphold Article 5 of NATO’s charter. Many of these states have also taken in a disproportionate number of refugees and asylum seekers from Russia and Ukraine. These economic, social and security challenges raise questions of the changing nature of the NATO alliance and how its member states collectively respond to the threat of a more aggressive Russia.

This event will convene the next generation of NATO’s leaders to discuss Western policy options and how NATO member states can maintain a unified transatlantic response to Russian aggression.

This event was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State – NATO Mission. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.

Speakers:
Tiina Uudeberg, Undersecretary for Defence Planning Estonian Ministry of Defence
Yordan Bozhilov, Deputy Minister of Defense, Republic of Bulgaria

Moderator:
Pedro Pizano, Program Manager for the Democracy & Human Rights Program, McCain Institute