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NATO moving into Indo-Pacific? Thanks, but no thanks
Indonesia has an opportunity to wield its unique brand of nonaligned diplomacy in reducing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, especially in quelling NATO's potential expansion into the region, which is almost certain to only exacerbate the situation as shown by the prolonged war between Ukraine and Russia.
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The Royal Australian Navy’s guided-missile frigate HMAS Parramatta (left) takes part in naval exercises in the South China Sea on April 18, 2020 with the United States Navy’s (from second left) supercarrier USS America, aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill and guided-missile destroyer USS Barry. (Reuters/US Navy)
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our Indo-Pacific countries are participating in this week’s NATO summit in Washington, suggesting that the transatlantic military pact is looking to expand, if not in membership then certainly in power and influence, to other waters around the world.
Security concern about China is the one thing that Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea share with NATO members for these four countries to accept the invitation to attend as observers. As in previous summits, the gathering is expected to address concerns regarding the escalating tension in the Indo-Pacific and how best to deal with it. A statement to this effect is expected at the end of the summit.
While every country has a right to choose its allies to protect itself, the expansion of the United States-led NATO, given its recent record in Eastern Europe, will most likely contribute to rather than help de-escalate the tension in the Indo-Pacific.
NATO’s expansion is inviting trouble; the last thing the region needs today.
Indonesia, either on its own or through ASEAN, should come out with a strong statement to reject NATO’s plan to project its power and influence in any form in this part of the world.
As a middle power that has stayed true to its nonalignment principle amid the growing tension between the US and China, Indonesia should exert all its diplomatic resources to prevent the Indo-Pacific from turning into a theater of war.
Interestingly, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese decided at the last minute to skip the summit, effectively demoting its significance to Canberra. In a press interview, Albanese saw Australia’s participation as irrelevant, saying, “as an observer country, we’re not there. We’re not in the room with the NATO members when that takes place”.
