By MARK CHANDLER
A group of experts warned the military alliance “risks falling behind the pace of political change and technological developments that could alter the character of warfare”. The panel, put together by security NGO Globsec, set out a raft of recommendations that leaders should adopt by the organisation’s 70th anniversary summit in 2019. They include enhancing security forces and building relationships with influential rising powers like the Chinese. It warned: “To maintain its credibility as a defensive alliance NATO must embark on a more far-reaching process of adaptation. “NATO must ensure it has the capacity to fight a future war if it is to deter and prevent such a war.
“And it must have the political tools and partnerships to reinforce its military capabilities.”
A key challenge for the alliance would be to take on a “militarily advanced Russia” and deal with threats posed by aggressive rogue states like North Korea alongside terrorist groups, the report said.
And the panel said the nature of the challenge was ever-changing with advances in cyber and “hybrid” warfare - a mix of traditional and high-tech weaponry using artificial intelligence.
There has already been increasing concern about cyber attacks by Russia and the use of so-called “troll factories” to cause chaos in the west.
Vladimir Putin’s regime has been accused of targeting key ballots like the US presidential election and Brexit vote to spread KGB-style disinformation.
And the panel warned: “NATO’s adversaries already consider themselves at war with NATO and the values for which it stands.
Russia displays show of strength during latest military exercise Wed, October 18, 2017
“Russia, Al Qaeda and ISIS are already seeking to sow disinformation, spread propaganda, and engage in influence operations aimed at undermining NATO and, by extension, EU societies.
“Both Al Qaeda and ISIS, as Sala Jihadi organisations, are intent on terrorising the populations of the Alliance.
“Adaptation to these myriad challenges will thus require leaders to think big about the future of NATO, its political strategy and its partnerships.
“It will also require the Allies to spend more on defence and better integrate both forces and resources if the Alliance is to be properly equipped and prepared for the coming challenges.”
Among the many recommendations laid out was to forge a new relationship with countries like China and India to counter the rise of new threats.
It also needs to adapt a “war fighting ethos” with forces equipped and poised for any conflict, the experts said.
Panel leader, ex-NATO International Security Assistance Force commander Genera John R Allen, told Politico that China's role was key and a decades-long strategy was required.
He said: “NATO needs to take note of the enormity of China’s influence.
“We’re talking about NATO thinking out a generation.”
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