On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the NATO military organisation, we appeal to all people to come to Strasbourg and Kehl in April 2009, to protest against NATO’s aggressive military and nuclear policies, and assert our vision of a just world free of war. NATO is an increasing obstacle to achieving world peace. Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has reinvented itself as a tool for military action by the “international community”, including the promotion of the so-called “war on terror”. In reality it is a vehicle for US-led use of force with military bases on all continents, bypassing the United Nations and the system of international law, accelerating militarisation and escalating arms expenditure – NATO countries account for 75% of global military expenditure. Pursuing that expansionist agenda since 1991, designed to advance strategic and resource interests, NATO has waged war in the Balkans, under the guise of so-called “humanitarian war”, and has waged seven years of brutal war in Afghanistan, where the tragic situation is escalating and the war has expanded into Pakistan.

[euro-police] Presentation about the changes in the “European Security Architecture” and policy developments in European Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). Overview of paradigm shifts, institutions, actors, databases, technical changes and the challenges for social movements.

Download pdf from http://euro-police.noblogs.org

• german (6MB)
• francais (5MB)
• english (4MB)

For background info see

• Collapsing the European Security Architecture!
• Social Movements Against the Global Security Architecture.

[de]

A Critique of the Militarisation of Social Conflict and the Securitisation of Everyday Life

• Assessment of the Strategy Papers of the ‘Future Group’ (on the future of EU Home Affairs policies) and the ‘new strategic directions’ of NATO, put forward in the publication, ‘Towards a Grand Strategy in an Uncertain World’
• Proposal for a campaign against the new EU policies to be ratified under the Swedish Presidency of the EU in 2009

This document as pdf | This document in german

Recent unrest due to food price hikes, protests against rising energy costs, visions and realities of a climate crisis and growing concerns over scarce resources, in conjunction with the continued turmoil of financial markets, are creating a sense of insecurity for a neoliberal regime in severe crisis. The G8 states and their allies are seeking to contain these conflicts and the evident accumulation crisis of the global economy through market-orientated solutions in order to restore economic growth whilst calls for more state intervention in the regulation of financial markets are rife. At the same time, the ‘war on terror’ serves to justify ever-more militarisation of all spheres of life. Wars are waged to secure new markets, transport routes and resources. New techniques of governance are emerging within a logic of waging war against who- or whatever cannot be made profitable.

In 2009, a number of security policy changes whose consequences are as yet unclear, are planned for the EU.

Dear artists, bands, organizations, groups and labels, NATO intends to celebrate its anniversary summit in Kehl and Strasbourg in April 2009. We want to oppose this intention. We won’t be able to prevent NATO’s celebration in our region but we want and we will take part in the wide-ranging alliance of resistance with political and cultural activities. Therefore, we contact you: We are looking for artists, bands, theatre groups and people who want to declare their political solidarity with our resistance and who want to support us with a gig. Events are planned before and during the summit. If you can imagine to organize a solidarity-concert here or elsewhere in favour of resistance, please let us know. If you don’t have any time but know people who would like to participate in a solidarity-concert, please send them this mail. Thank you very much. Kontakt : kulturorga@riseup.net Info : www.natogipfel2009.blogsport.de

War starts from Europe.

14-15 November 2008: European day of action against military infrastructure.

Europe is at war.

The bombs are not falling in Europe. They are falling several thousands of km away in Iraq and Afghanistan. But still war is waged from Europe. Europe serves as a launch pad for military interventions worldwide. The frameworks differ: NATO, EU, US coalition of the willing, UN. The targets also vary: Iraq,Afghanistan, Lebanon, Chad, etc. But the departure points don’t:military bases and civilian airports and harbours in Europe.

Europe hosts a large military intervention machinery.

Confronting the war alliance with mass protests

In spite of all predictions of its imminent dissolution, in recent years NATO has developed a frightening war dynamic. On all levels, the alliance is preparing itself for future wars.

From a nuclear first strike strategy, the escalation of counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan and the intensification of NATO-EU cooperation, through to a institutional renewal: there are more than enough reasons to confront the 60th jubilee of the war alliance, due to be celebrated on 3 and 4 April 2009 in Kehl and Strasbourg, with mass protests.

International Preparatory Conference for the Anti-NATO activities related to the 60th anniversary of NATO

Stuttgart, Germany

We will discuss NATO’s 60th anniversary in May 2009, which will be celebrated with an official summit in Strasbourg and Kehl.

Libertad! on the upcoming 60th anniversary of NATO

taktonato.jpgIn spring 2009, the NATO will be celebrating 60 years of its existence and its mission to safeguard the ‚free world‘. Unsurprisingly, this euphemism has become popular within the elites, as it does not convey the murderous practices of their enterprise. Libertad! calls for protest and resistance against the celebration.

Paper presented at the Workshop Europe's military and defense poilcy, Attac Summer University, Saarbrücken, 2.8.2008

What I want to do in my presentation is to describe the most relevant developments for Europe's militarization since the year 1999. Furthermore, I wanted to say a few words about the driving factors behind this militarization. Finally, I want to outline the dramatic consequences for Europe's further militarization if the Treaty of Lisbon would enter into force and to assess the impact of the Irish NO against the treaty and the further road ahead.