NATO is a dangerous paper tiger

By Christoph R. Hörstel – February 6, 2012

These days events in Syria, pressure and threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran are ranking high on the political agenda. What is less obvious is, what people in Europe and the US are thinking about their governments’ unfolding policies – and how they are successfully made to keep quiet in great numbers. Since this subject is of highest concern to their governments, who need consent of their voters – with parliaments caught in the middle: Over the years the powerful media have been aggressively amputated into “mainstream media” – and this “main stream” is the result of many efforts, political, disciplinary and heavy money influx, mainly from the US, to the tune of around US$ 6 billion a year, huge indirect payments not included, plus another half billion from all other NATO countries combined. Part of this money is constantly being used in a decade-old side show to damage the picture of the Muslim world and of Islam in general in the eyes of the unwitting western people with a very simple refrain: Islam is an aggressive religion, do not trust the Muslims, look how corrupt these governments are etc.. Much of this rhetoric is based on the blatant lie of 9/11. Are all these “westerners” by nature aggressive? Not at all, same as their little known Muslim brothers and sisters.

It is obvious, that this media system is now in immaculate sync with secret “special operations” (NATO jargon: “special ops”) and military action plus political steps, for example sanctions, embargoes etc. That all has become a well-oiled, fine-tuned, high-revving oppressing and killing “machine”. It causes rifts and disunity in societies, paves the way to civil wars, brings about small, well-aimed secret military operations by night plus helicopter or drone attacks, overthrows governments and, should this all fail: conducts wars. All in full justification by an unparalleled corrupt mainstream media choir in NATO countries.

One result of the recent history, however, is this: In a very justified reaction to “the machine” functions, countries under “machine” attack have bolstered a sense of ultimate distrust against NATO member countries and their citizens. Two often were they tricked, cheated, lied to, robbed, personally endangered or even killed. That distrust is a well-designed integral part of all vital functions of NATO’s “machine”.

The political background: In time for the current events the UN Security Council resolution 1674 “Responsibility to Protect” (jargon: “RtoP”) was adopted in 2006. NATO was upgraded in 2008 to a special contract partner to the UNO for all military enforcements. Russia later complained, that it was not informed on the conclusion of this pact, which was officially withheld from the western public. In 2009 resolution 1674 passed the General assembly, but faced opposition by China, Russia, Iran and Syria – for example. No NATO member disagreed…

This year, some of the smaller dissenting countries of the 2009 UN resolution 1674 are exposed to the works of “the machine” described above. On the other hand, the peace movements in NATO countries and other honest opposition members, are now so splintered and weakened, its people often personally impoverished, a huge percentage way beyond retirement age, the whole population distracted by ANGST through a variety of “doctored” crises: financial, economic, pandemic – that the home-grown inner resistance to NATO’s “machine” is next to zero.

Who is weakened in their position against Washington by this “global political mainstreaming” system? All other NATO members. Whenever yet another country outside NATO falls victim to NATO’s “machine”, breathing space within NATO is being reduced. In Germany the silent opposition reaches as high as the political system goes: right into the chancellor’s office, straight to the top level of our ministries as well as into the leadership of powerful parliament committees. Even inside the US, the remaining few honest officials are sensing with high alarm, that this system may one day devore its own members by its unleashed greed – and are secretly shocked to find so little political opposition to turn to. Another “Pentagon Paper”-type scandal would be drowned in an artificial and spin-doctored cacophony of critical blabla. True, NATO’s “machine” may ultimately kill its supporters and finally its inventor. But just doing next to nothing and just waiting for that end seems the last option, since that means risk acceptance of huge losses of resources and of blood. And long-lasting, widespread genetic defects by Uranium bombs.

Any recipe to cause a little malfunction to “the machine” and bolster mutual friendship? Of course – and it comes cheap: With a small fraction of the funds involved on “the machine’s” side, and some pro-active citizens of the smaller NATO countries, using modern infotainment attractivity, ice-cold DOUBT can be cast on the “the machine’s” media leg. That will stiffen it – and that is enough to help destroy the whole high-rev “machine” from within, by disbalancing it, quickly enough.

NATO is a highly vulnerable murderous paper tiger. Obstacles to overcome it: distrust, isolationism, pride, righteousness up to a little arrogance – and ignorance, on all sides.

*The author is a government and business consultant in Germany specializing in public relations, multiple book author and expert since 25 years on issues of Central Asia, the Middle East and security-related questions.