SCO – the next counterforce to NATO?

I view the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)’s “anti-terrorist operation” (“Peace Mission 2007”) sends a strong signal to NATO that one day, there could be another intergovernmental coalition that can counter the West, at least militarily speaking.

Think this is just another ephemeral, loosely organized coalition? SCO was formed mainly by China and Russia, with members including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organization also has 4 “observers” including Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran. Geographically, SCO covers a large eastern portion of Eurasia. Economically, it covers 3 out of the 4 BRIC nations.

The timing of the exercise is sensitive – just a moth after US’s announcement on planning to install strategic missile defense system in Poland and Czech Republic, both were part of former Soviet Union. From the scope of the exercise: the number of ground troops, air power, to missile systems, it’s difficult not to believe the objective of the “mission” is to enervate upcoming enemies from the West. As Noam Chomsky asked - has the new Cold War already started?