NATO official highlights global security concerns at Seoul Defense Dialogue

Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, underscored the interconnected nature of global security at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on Wednesday, emphasizing that “the security of Europe and Asia cannot be separated.”

Speaking at the 13th edition of the multilateral security forum, hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, Bauer expressed concern over the current global security environment, calling it “the most dangerous world in decades, with the highest number of conflicts since the Second World War.”

Bauer pointed to significant challenges, including Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, noting that these issues are not isolated but have widespread implications for global stability. “Russia’s war on Ukraine is not just a regional conflict but has global repercussions that threaten the rules-based international order established after the Second World War,” he said.

Bauer also condemned North Korea’s recent ballistic missile tests, labeling them as violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

In his call for international unity, Bauer stressed the importance of collective action in the face of increasing insecurity. “The best response to these rising levels of conflicts and growing insecurity is to stand together firmer than ever,” he stated.

The admiral further highlighted the role of deterrence, drawing an analogy to a nightclub bouncer: “It’s like the seven-foot-tall bouncer in front of the nightclub who makes you think twice about whether you want to force yourself in.”