By José Carlos Palma*
In “Deterring Armageddon,” author Peter Apps provides an engaging and insightful portrait of NATO, delving into its history and examining its current status as it marks its 75th anniversary. This milestone highlights NATO’s impressive longevity, making it arguably the most successful alliance in history, outlasting even the ancient Delian League of fifth-century Greece. Over its 75 years, NATO has expanded from 12 to 32 members, with Sweden being the latest to join during the Washington summit in July 2024, all while maintaining territorial integrity.
Book Overview
In “Deterring Armageddon: A Biography of NATO,” Apps masterfully recounts the alliance’s formation, its internal and external struggles, and its renewed sense of purpose following Russia’s expanded invasion of Ukraine. Through rich anecdotes and a keen journalistic eye, Apps brings NATO’s history to life, capturing the emotions, fears, and diplomacy that shaped the alliance. He offers a vivid retelling of NATO’s recent responses to Russian provocations and member-states’ efforts to support Ukraine post-February 2022. The book features portraits of key figures who have influenced NATO, from Ernest Bevin and Slobodan Milošević to Bernard Law Montgomery and Vladimir Putin.
NATO’s Historical Context and Evolution
Apps highlights NATO’s turbulent history, especially post-Cold War, when the alliance struggled to find a new purpose after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Efforts to integrate Russia were unsuccessful, and NATO’s focus shifted to various engagements, including the Balkans, Libya, Afghanistan, counter-piracy off the Horn of Africa, and training missions in Iraq. The February 2022 invasion of Ukraine refocused NATO on its core mission of defense and deterrence, underscoring the alliance’s importance in maintaining stability and security.
Internal Dynamics and Challenges
The author does not shy away from NATO’s internal complexities. Apps details the alliance’s messy nature, marked by political squabbles and the challenges of reaching consensus among diverse member-states. Historical and recent examples, such as France’s opposition to the 2003 Iraq invasion and Turkey’s objections to Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership, illustrate these dynamics. Yet, Apps also shows how NATO has consistently found workarounds to maintain unity and purpose.
Impact of Political Figures and Future Prospects
Apps explores the impact of political figures like former President Donald Trump, whose open questioning of NATO’s value and America’s commitment to Article Five forced the alliance to reassess its priorities. Despite Trump’s controversial approach, Apps argues that it inadvertently renewed NATO’s focus on defense spending and deterrence. Looking forward, Apps raises questions about the sustainability of increased defense spending and political support for NATO’s mission, especially with the rise of populist parties in Europe and potential shifts in U.S. strategic interests towards the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion
“Deterring Armageddon” offers a comprehensive and vibrant account of NATO’s journey, highlighting its strengths and the challenges it faces. Apps illustrates that despite internal disputes and evolving missions, NATO’s enduring success lies in the shared commitment to collective defense and deterrence. This unity has ensured unprecedented stability and security, making NATO a crucial player on the global stage for the foreseeable future.
*Expert in international relations, such as foreign policy, international trade, domestic security, international security, developing nations, domestic security, intelligence, IT Consultant, world history, political consultant, and military analysis.