There is far more substance to this development than punishing Germany for its opposition to the war against Iraq. We are in the early stages of a sea change, as the battleground shifts from Western Europe versus the Soviet Bloc to the emerging battles between Western Civilization and radical Islam. At stake is a civilization built upon the last five hundred years of history, which radical Islamists now seek to reverse. Whether we desire it or not, the war has started and we will not wish it away.
In order to face this new enemy, Europe's political and military focus must shift to its frontier with Islam and beyond to the vital Southwest Asian oilfields. This repositioning will require NATO to shore up the forgotten nations of Eastern Europe, and to establish lines of communications and supply with forward bases and Black Sea ports. The first phase of this transition has been the expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe.
Next, NATO must abandon the fixed positions and set-piece strategies of its Cold War past, and become an expeditionary force capable of projecting power beyond its borders. Such a radical change in focus, strategy and composition requires new leadership. Today's Army generals cut their teeth and dedicated their careers planning to fight the Soviets on the plains of Central Europe, and they are naturally resistant to radical change. NATO's expeditionary future explains why James Jones -- a Marine Corps general -- is Europe's new Supreme Allied Commander.
We are becoming more expeditionary because we are going to embark on more expeditions. A new foundation is being laid for a very different world...
Is this still true? Certainly most of them have received their battle experience in SE Asia, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East, which would bode well for the change in perspective which you suggest.