I am going to guess that it was just simply inconceivable. They assumed that NATO members would resolve their disputes through other institutions (UN, EU parliament, WTO, etc). That was the whole point of these institutions, to make resolving disputes able to be done without war.
We obviously all know it was a sham but it’s quite funny to have the sham ripped apart to reveal the true power dynamics underneath
From what I’m reading the treaty says its forbidden but doesn’t state any consequences. Some take that to mean nothing happens, others think it invokes article 5. I’m not seeing anything in article 5 that could be argued for an exception. Denmark could easily threaten to activate Article V. They won’t, but they could.
It’s ultimately just words on paper. Denmark can activate it all they like and all members would sit by and do nothing. The only thing that is truly in question is whether or not they would bother making up some contrived legal interpretation for why they can’t do anything.
If I remember correctly, article 5 doesn’t actually compel other member states to intervene in the first place. They can just opt to do nothing and still be in accordance with the treaty.
I am going to guess that it was just simply inconceivable. They assumed that NATO members would resolve their disputes through other institutions (UN, EU parliament, WTO, etc). That was the whole point of these institutions, to make resolving disputes able to be done without war.
We obviously all know it was a sham but it’s quite funny to have the sham ripped apart to reveal the true power dynamics underneath
as we all know, treaties last forever and it would be absolutely impossible for anyone to go back on their word, so of course it was inconceivable
From what I’m reading the treaty says its forbidden but doesn’t state any consequences. Some take that to mean nothing happens, others think it invokes article 5. I’m not seeing anything in article 5 that could be argued for an exception. Denmark could easily threaten to activate Article V. They won’t, but they could.
It’s ultimately just words on paper. Denmark can activate it all they like and all members would sit by and do nothing. The only thing that is truly in question is whether or not they would bother making up some contrived legal interpretation for why they can’t do anything.
If I remember correctly, article 5 doesn’t actually compel other member states to intervene in the first place. They can just opt to do nothing and still be in accordance with the treaty.