NATO prepares to engage in Middle East

NATO leaders, meeting in Istanbul last week, decided to 
strengthen military relations with Israel, Jordan, Egypt and 
several other countries in the Middle East. It plans to conduct 
its military relations with each of these countries separately 
and use these "partnerships" for engagement in military 
operations in the Middle East and Central Asia.

NATO's priorities include support for Israel, control over 
developments in Iraq and protecting Western interests in 
Afghanistan.

As a result of this decision Israel's navy will be invited to 
take part in NATO's Mediterranean Sea. NATO claims these 
operations are to check suspicious seacraft to stop illegal 
activities, and prevent the smuggling of weapons and materials 
used in the production of weapons of mass destruction. 

Anti-terror equipment, as well as gear used to cope with natural 
disasters and the results of terror attacks, will be made 
available to countries involved in this Mediterranean Dialogue 
partnership framework.