The "sea between lands" of Fernand Braudel has changed. The globalization and the diffusion of internet has nullified the geographical distance between Europe and the coast of the North Africa and Middle East. Therefore, we cannot consider ourselves disinterested spectators in front of the historical importance of the ongoing changes as well as the bursts of conflicts have expanded rapidly from the Mediterranean region to the Gulf.

The response of international organizations to the unrest in the Arab-Muslim countries revealed a lack of vision and leadership in managing the crisis, such as demonstrated by the Libyan case. In this context, though, NATO constitutes an exception. 

Looking at the NATO’s partnership programs, we can state that NATO is second to no other international organisation for dialogue and co-operation with countries outside its own area. But surprisingly Asia is almost completely neglected by the NATO’s outreach initiatives. That is why a dialogue with SCO, the “Shanghai Co-operation Organisation”, must be promptly launched.

Among the Islamic countries that were impacted by the recent insurrections, Libya is the most fragile. Therefore the major attention it has recently been awarded when compared to the other countries – even militarily – appears justified. Nevertheless, none of the possible outcomes of this crisis allow us to be optimistic.

Liberty and our values do not need to be ‘exported’, but they need to be preserved and defended. This is also done by intervening where the threats to our security originate, much like the armed forces from Italy and other NATO members are doing in Afghanistan.