What is the future of NATO?

In the face of Russian aggression NATO remains relevant

Question: What is the future of NATO?
Position‹2 of 3›: NATO will continue its traditional role
Argument: In the face of Russian aggression NATO remains relevant

The annexation of Crimea and an increasingly adventurous and aggressive Russian foreign policy makes NATO's mission more vital than ever.

The argument

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has increasingly embarked on an aggressive foreign policy designed to undermine Western interests, this includes invading Georgia, annexing Crimea, funding and arming sepratists in Eastern Ukraine, and intervening militarily in Syria to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The authoritarian nature of his presidency which has focused on rebuilding of Russia's military capabilities, including increasing its nuclear weapons stockpile, only reaffirms the relevance and need for NATO as an effective deterrence.

Premises

[P1]Under Putin, Russia has pursued an aggressive foreign policy — invading Georgia, annexing Crimea, arming Ukrainian separatists and propping up Assad. [P2] It is also rebuilding its military, including its nuclear stockpile. [P3] Such aggression reaffirms the need for NATO as an effective deterrent. [C] Therefore, in the face of Russian aggression, NATO remains relevant and will continue its traditional role.

Counter-arguments

Russia under Vladimir Putin is not the Soviet Union. The current military threat of Russia is overstated and far less adventurous than the Cold War era. Russia's own military doctrine states that the biggest threat to peace is the military build up amongst NATO member states and the expansion of NATO membership to its border. Russia's foreign policy is one of self-defence.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Russia's role is one of self-defence, not aggression.