Reuters — NATO's new missions won't solve Ukraine, Iraq crises

[Michael] O'Hanlon of Brookings said the summit had not entirely dispelled questions about the alliance's future purpose and transatlantic security cooperation.

Notwithstanding the Ukraine crisis, "NATO's fundamental purpose going forward will be to deal with out-of-area global problems," he said, citing the crisis in Syria and Iraq as well as continued efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.

 The summit "didn't provide any floor under defense budgets or general burden-sharing of NATO European security", he said.

In other words, protect and advance Western interests, access to energy in particular.

Reuters
NATO's new missions won't solve Ukraine, Iraq crises
Paul Taylor And Adrian Croft