NATO gets into the act

[Grimm]

Looks like someone bit off a bit more than they thought they would.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) - NATO invoked a mutual defense clause for the first time in its history Wednesday, opening the way for a possible collective military response to Tuesday's attacks on the United States.

``The (NATO) Council agreed that if it is determined that this was an attack directed from abroad against the United States, it shall be regarded as an action covered by Article V of the Washington Treaty, which states that an attack against one ally is an attack against them all,'' Secretary-General George Robertson told a news conference.

The article commits each of the 19 member nations to take ''such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.''

[Blu]

I'm pleased with this. It shows that the rest of the world is willing to help in a time like this. I think that during non-disaster times, countries often portray the US as being spoiled and greedy. It's nice to see them push that sentiment aside and help.


TBG

[topane]

I think that most of the rest of the world will join us as well.

[Grimm]

This is even more significant than it first appears.
Basicaly the NATO members are saying that the attack was on them as well. While the US gets to take the lead role, it means the other NATO nations are taking it personaly that one of their allies was attacked.
It's like there were simutaneous attacks on all the nations in NATO. We aren't alone in being attacked. It's not the USA with the backing of the world, it's NATO with the backing of the world.

[pennypinch]

I agree. Further, it's the first live action many of the other countries will have seen in a while, and much new hardware has come online. I'm sure many of these countries are itching to give their new toys a run.

It's gratifying that the other countries are getting in line to find these people. Other countries are always looking to the US to police the world. It's nice to see them return the favour at the first opportunity.