US- and NATO-linked entities are successfully working to secure their domination on the European political landscape.

On February 16th, NATO’s Atlantic Council and the Munich Security Conference announced a strategic partnership. The partnership is allegedly aimed at bolstering the transatlantic alliance and the rules-based international order.

“In an era of growing political and economic uncertainty and new great power competition, it is imperative that we combine forces to defend and advance the values of democracy, rule of law, open markets and cooperation among like-minded allies,” said Frederick Kempe, Atlantic Council President and CEO. “Thus we are delighted to partner with the Munich Security Conference to galvanize support for transatlantic alliance, which has been the bedrock of peace and prosperity over the last seventy years.” “The international order largely shaped and upheld by the liberal democracies in North America and Europe is under unprecedented pressure – from without and from within. In times like these, like-minded partners have to stand together,” said Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference. “Thus, I am very grateful that the Munich Security Conference and the Atlantic Council are strengthening their partnership to reinforce the transatlantic bond.”

According to the statement, the partnership aims to: “diversify participation and perspectives at existing Atlantic Council and MSC programming; integrate each other’s expertise and thought leadership into our research and analysis; and build innovative formats and activities to reach new audiences, foster fresh dialogue, and maximize our impact.”

To signify the partnership, during the annual Munich Security Conference between February 17th and 19th, the Atlantic Council announced its new “Declaration of Principles for Freedom, Prosperity and Peace.”

🚨BREAKING NEWS: Former leading officials from democratic countries have come together to declare their intent to defend a rules-based order. Here is the full set of principles. #DefendDemocracy #ACDeclaration #MSC2019 Read: https://t.co/JOy6l14nSn pic.twitter.com/GjFcp4nhcP — Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) February 16, 2019

These challenges are being exploited by politicians around the world, according to the Atlantic Council.

The declaration includes 7 statements:

“Freedom and Justice: We affirm the right of all people to live in free and just societies, where fundamental rights are protected under the rule of law.” – This statement speaks about protecting and allowing freedom of speech, free access to information and combating corruption. It also suggests that there should be equal protection and no discrimination on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion etc. Because, clearly, there’s been no such issues in the West. “Democracy and Self-Determination: We affirm the right of all people to make decisions about their own affairs through elected governments that reflect their consent, free from foreign interference.” – This statement regards the ability for all people to choose their own leaders through a fair and free democratic process. The example of the “fair election” of US-proclaimed Interim President Juan Guaido comes immediately to mind. The second part of the statement is also noteworthy and completely opposite of US conduct: “refrain from threats, coercion, intimidation, violence, election meddling, or other undue interference in the internal or external affairs of free nations” “Peace and Security: We affirm the right of all people to live in peace, free from threats of aggression, terrorism, oppression, crimes against humanity, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” – According to this one, any governments, individuals or entities who engage in such negative conduct should be acted against, but only if they’re not on the correct side of the issue. Since the third point in the statement reads the following: “support the peaceful settlement of disputes, including civil conflicts, and refrain from the use of force, except as just and necessary to advance these principles.” “Free Markets and Equal Opportunity: We affirm the right of all people to engage in economic activity based on free market principles, with equal opportunity to contribute to and the ability to share in the benefits of national prosperity.” – This statement refers to intellectual property rights, protection of the rights of workers, etc. All things that the West, at least officially, strongly tries to fight for. “An Open and Healthy Planet: We affirm the right of all people to enjoy free and open access to the global commons and a safe and healthy planet.” – This statement refers to reducing the damage to the environment as a result of human action. This goes directly against the Trump administration’s refusal to admit climate change even exists. It also mentions tougher migration control for the “protection of national identity.” Furthermore, “refrain from undue interference with freedom of navigation in the air, seas, and outer space, or with access to cyberspace.” “The Right of Assistance: We affirm the right of national sovereignty, while recognizing that sovereignty obligates governments to uphold these principles.” – Every individual has a right to receive assistance, and if adverse actions are causing a population to not benefit then there will be repercussions. Adverse actions here most likely mean subjectively any conduct or political system which the US disagrees with. A recent example is Trump’s strong stance against “socialism” and, at least according to him, a large part of his antagonism against Venezuela’s government. “Collective Action: We affirm the right of all people to cooperate in support of these principles and to work together to advance them.” – Collective here means the US decides and every other nation follows suit.

Finally, the declaration concludes with the statement that the principles are not self-executing and will need a concerted and focused effort to come into reality.

In essence, the Atlantic Council made a Declaration of NATO and mostly US conduct in past years and attempted to codify it, so whenever rules-based order is mentioned, now there are actual rules and not simply an abstract and “subjective” idea of them.

South Front