French president delivers veiled warning to Beijing during speech in Singapore.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned China that NATO could become more deeply involved in Asia if Beijing does not do more to stop North Korea from taking part in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“North Korea in Ukraine is a big question for all of us. If China doesn’t want NATO to be involved in Southeast Asia, it should prevent [North Korea] from being engaged on European soil,” Macron said Friday during an address at a major defense summit in Singapore.
What is he talking about? Japan, Skorea, and Mongolia are already NATO global partners.
‘Partners’ doesn’t really mean much though.
NATO is European only, there is little to no chance any of us in the Pacific are joining on to save Europe in a land war for a third time, as there no chance Europe would ever lift a finger to help Australia or Japan if China decides it’s go time.
This is absolute nonsense by the way.
That is probably true. NATO members will look at cost benefits just like everyone else. SE Asia needs to be responsible for its own security, not rely on others.
NATO is not europe only, though, US is not europe… Anyone can apply to join.
Yes, that’s what Quad is about - it’s a step towards rebuilding a Pacific defense alliance. (Quad isn’t yet an alliance)
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. So technically, not everybody can join. That’s why there are the global partners.