Russia, China and NATO in the Balance

Though it’s vitally important to “Bring Mother Russia Into the Fold” (Commentary, July 1)--the fold being NATO--one has to ask whether NATO, since the end of the Cold War, is anachronistic and whether so doing would isolate China and presage another Cold War, but with a different adversary. As suggested by James Chace and Charles Kupchan, inviting Russia into NATO would “blunt the growing rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing.”

We must avoid actions that would culminate in the type of frosty, hostile, militarily dangerous situation we had with the former Soviet Union. By abolishing NATO, the Russians’ perceived threat to their country will decline. Our economic ties with the Chinese, despite our periodic conflicts with them, will do much to ensure a continuing improvement in their social agenda. We must, however, have an overarching objective of avoiding a second Cold War.

Jack Salem

Los Angeles