The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
North Atlantic Treaty, Article Five
Pacific Command HQ
Joint Base Hickam Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
“Finally!! They got around Article Five!”
“Sorry Admiral, what is that?”
The Admiral slammed the report in his hand down on the table. “They finally got NATO off their ass! They have been lawyering us over Article Five for a month!”
“Are they joining the war?” While the United States considered NATO to be a largely American endeavor, Europeans viewed NATO as a European military force which was primarily designed to protect European interests. They had not wanted to get involved in the USA vs. China conflict and had resisted joining the war.
“Yes, finally.” The Admiral handed the lengthy report over to General Braverman who studied it intently. Historically, NATO had been limited to actions in Europe, the North Atlantic and in North America. Literally, the “North Atlantic Treaty Organization” it’s original purpose had been to defend Europe against an invasion from the USSR.
Over the years, NATO had continued to defend Europe but had admitted several former Warsaw Pact members, completely distorting the alliance’s original purpose.
On September 12, 2001, the United States of America became the first NATO member to formally invoke “article five” which is the critical mutual defense clause of the NATO treaty. To this day, America is the only nation to do so.
“Did you read the orders from the Joint Chiefs at the end?”
“What? No! Why didn’t my aide flag that to me?”
“Not sure, Admiral. But let me say, congratulations.”
The Admiral quickly picked up the briefing package and flipped to the back. As he read, he slowly sat down, shaking his head. “This is the CNO’s doing. That bastard.”
“Supreme Commander Allied Forces Pacific has a nice ring to it if I may say so. Sir.”
The Admiral shot a dark look at Braverman. “This is a political play. They want a poster boy for NATO. I get to tin cup to every allied command. I did my stint in Belgium so they think I will sweet talk the allies.”
“And win the war.”
“Perhaps. Perhaps.”
A calculating look came over the Admiral’s face. “Get the
Aeronautica Militare on the horn. I want to talk to the commander of the 32nd Wing at Amendola.”
“The Italians? Why do I recognize that unit?”
“They were the first operational F-35A squadron in Europe.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Indeed. Time to raise the stakes.”
An international coalition makes things very interesting. NATO is arguably the most formidable defensive alliance ever, would China realistically be able to maintain a military posture against NATO forces? What about political pressure on the global scale? China does most of it’s business with developed Western countries so with the Marines blockading the Straits of Malacca, how will China’s economy respond? I’m curious to see how you envision the global geopolitical situation working out. After all, China doesn’t have a Warsaw Pact alliance to counter NATO.
As always, great stuff. Your writing is great. Keep it up!
Loving IT!!!!