NATO has launched two major military exercises in Europe—”Operation Arctic Endurance 2026” in the Arctic and “Steadfast Dart 2026” in Central and Western Europe—but their scale, organization, and strategic messaging differ markedly from past routine drills. Rather than serving solely as tests of defensive readiness, these exercises appear shaped by the broader geopolitical environment, particularly growing U.S.–European strategic divergences and shifting priorities within the alliance.
For the first time, the Arctic-focused exercise, initiated by Denmark in Greenland, and the large-scale Steadfast Dart maneuver, led by Germany with participation from around 11 allied nations, reflect a stronger European leadership role and a reduced U.S. presence. According to the article, this signals Europe’s effort to demonstrate its capacity to manage regional security independently, marking a notable departure from NATO’s traditionally U.S.-dominated command structure.
However, Xinhua underscores significant underlying problems. Both exercises were reportedly organized in haste, marked by last-minute planning, equipment incompatibilities, and lower-than-expected participation from some members. Defense experts cited in the article characterize the drills as more symbolic than operationally substantive. These shortcomings, combined with divergent strategic objectives among European allies and constrained resources, point to deeper strains in NATO’s cohesion, interoperability, and overall ability to respond effectively to a major crisis.
Source: Xinhua, January 30, 2029
https://www.news.cn/milpro/20260130/f8323e59166a4dffb6500a11244b1ae5/c.html