Unload NATO free-riders

Re “NATO at twilight,” Opinion, Feb. 11

Andrew Bacevich’s article concerning the status of NATO is about 14 years overdue. Since the end of the Cold War, Americans were told that the maintenance of the alliance was vital for national security, essential to stabilize the Balkans and crucial in the fight against terrorism, among other things.

The motive is the desire of the NATO bureaucracy to continue existing and to preserve itself and its structures.

By insisting on the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as the Western Europeans disarmed, the United States became the bearer of the whole of Europe’s defense burden, while at the same time antagonizing Russia -- an energy superpower with vast military resources.

Even as the friction increased between Moscow and Washington, the Germans were happily signing energy agreements with Russia, bypassing Poland and other expansion states.

Even such supposed NATO stalwarts with vast armies as Turkey have become unreliable politically. For America, the question is: Is it worth it?

It is time to discuss a grand bargain with Russia and Iran before beginning to arrange a proper burial for an organization in which most members have been free-riding for the last 15 years with no discernible benefit to the United States.

Jack Kalpakian

Associate Professor of International Studies

Al Akhawayn University

Ifrane, Morocco