The following article by Lynda Walker was first published in Unity, the weekly paper of the Irish Communist Party.
THIS week NATO met in Turkey on the 7th and 8th of July. The agenda for NATO was an agenda that it committed to Imperialism, war and a weapon and manufacturing industry. War against Russia, Iran and any other country that gets in the sights of NATO.
Shona Murray reports in Euro News that the NATO allies are set to reaffirm their iron-clad commitment to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty in the final declaration of the NATO summit in Ankara. They state that Russia poses a "long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability". When Article 5 is invoked, member countries are legally obligated to assist the attacked ally. This means the response can range from diplomatic measures and economic sanctions to providing military equipment or deploying armed forces.
A copy of the document carries a declaration that "Iran can never have a nuclear weapon" and commits to €70 billion euros extra support for Ukraine, with "at least equivalent levels" of support to come in 2027.
The declaration is the pre-ordained final text of the summit, negotiated by all 32 allies, including the US. The document has been agreed at ambassador level, leaders, but "The Ankara Declaration will be released once agreed by Allied leaders at the NATO summit on Wednesday," A NATO spokesperson told Euronews. Of particular importance is Washington's apparent confirmation that it agrees to the collective defence of the whole alliance. The principle "an attack on one is an attack on all."
Speaking from Brussels in June, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said Europe must take the lead on building a revamped "NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that needs to go back to a real, hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defence of Europe,"
Of note is the fact NATO governments shuffle closer to war situations- turning more countries into weapon-based economies- a fact that exists in the USA. The global arms trade is heavily concentrated among a handful of countries, with the United States far ahead of every other supplier. From 2021 and 2025, the U.S. accounted for 42% of global arms exports, more than four times the share of the next-largest exporter. (14 Mar 2026)
The Weapon & Ammunition Manufacturing industry in Ireland has a market size of €23.6bn in 2026 with annual revenue growth of 5.3 %. Companies in the Weapon and Ammunition Manufacturing industry manufacture heavy weapons, small arms, air and gas guns, pistols and war ammunition, including hunting firearms and explosive devices like bombs, grenades, guided missiles, mortars and torpedoes. (IBISWorld). (See also an Phoblacht 4.07.2002 Ireland's thriving arms industry- The reality behind Irish 'neutrality')
In 2024 Rebeca Black wrote in the Irish News that production at a weapons plant in Northern Ireland has doubled and is set to double again following Russia's war in Ukraine. Thales UK operate two sites in the region – with high precision missiles designed and produced at a plant in east Belfast, and final missile assembly at another plant in Crossgar, Co Down. It designs and produces missiles including Starstreak, Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) systems as well as final assembly of the Saab designed NLAW. They have also trained UK and Ukraine soldiers in the south of England. (25.03.2024)
The peaceful demonstrations against war and genocide in Palestine are being met with increasing violence. There is little or no consideration of the bombing of Iran by the US and Israel. The bombing and annexing of Lebanon by Israel is being ignored by world many leaders.
What can NATO do to help? Put the £ € billions and efforts into giving humanitarian aid to the people in war torn countries: Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, Iran and the so on.
The Irish Communist Party condemns the attacks and bans on the Communist Party of Turkey and anti-imperialist forces who are demonstrating against the holding of the NATO summit in Turkey this week.
We send our solidarity to the Turkish Communist Party and the progressive movements against NATO.