A BACK-TO-BUSINESS BIRTHDAY: PRIORITIES FOR THE 2024 NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON - As NATO accelerates preparations for its 75th Anniversary Summit taking place in Washington this July, the transatlantic alliance will have much to celebrate. The accession of Finland and Sweden has added two highly-capable militaries to NATO’s roster. Allies bolstered NATO’s regional force posture and readiness with the adoption of a new suite of defense plans. And after decades of underinvestment, NATO’s European allies have ramped up defense spending in support of Ukraine and in recognition of the mounting Russian threat.

These causes for celebration are, however, juxtaposed with a deteriorating security environment and a collection of unfinished business from last year’s Vilnius Summit. Securing the future of the world’s most successful military alliance will require this year’s Summit to be one of implementation. NATO will be expected to take action to improve the under-equipped state of its defense industrial base, to reinforce its vulnerable eastern flank, and to demonstrate executability of its defense plans while also preparing for a new slate of challenges cutting across domains and beyond the military alliance’s traditional area of responsibility.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 04/29/2024