Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, has issued a stark warning to business leaders, urging them to prepare for a “wartime scenario” as global tensions continue to escalate. Speaking at the European Policy Centre in Brussels, Bauer emphasized the need for companies to reassess dependencies on nations like Russia and China to enhance resilience in the face of potential geopolitical threats.
Admiral Bauer stressed that overreliance on foreign-controlled resources and infrastructure poses significant strategic risks. He pointed to Europe’s energy agreements with Russian-controlled entities such as Gazprom as examples of vulnerabilities tied directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Similarly, he cautioned against dependencies on Chinese-owned infrastructure, highlighting the potential for exploitation by Beijing.
“We are naive if we think the Communist Party will never use that power,” Bauer warned, calling for businesses to adopt a strategic, security-focused approach to operations. He emphasized that while military efforts are vital, “it’s the economies that win wars,” underlining the importance of economic resilience.
This warning comes against the backdrop of ongoing global crises, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s increasing geopolitical assertiveness. NATO has been ramping up its readiness, launching its largest military exercise since the Cold War—Steadfast Defender 24—to strengthen the alliance’s preparedness against potential threats. The exercise involves thousands of U.S. and NATO service members and focuses on bolstering interoperability across various domains, including land, sea, air, cyber, and space.
Admiral Bauer’s remarks underscore the critical role of economic stability in national security. By urging businesses to prepare for a wartime scenario, he highlighted the interconnectedness of the private sector and national defense strategies, warning that geopolitical uncertainties demand proactive measures from all sectors.
Sources:
- Reuters: NATO official calls for businesses to prepare for ‘wartime scenario’
- London Loves Business: NATO military chief warns of risks tied to foreign dependencies
- Defense.gov: NATO launches Steadfast Defender 24, largest exercise since Cold War
