NATO searches for brain life

French President Emmanuel Macron famously called NATO "brain dead" in 2019 - but will he hold up adoption of a new NATO strategy, based on a pivot to China?

That's one of the key questions as NATO allies gather in Brussels for their annual one-day summit. The other reason why this summit is happening today: Russia's Vladimir Putin's ongoing territorial and cyber aggression. President Joe Biden is hoping this summit will be a show of united force against Russia ahead of his meeting with Putin.

Regardless of the enemy, Europe may not be ready for them. A Center for American Progress report said that after decades of decline, "much of Europe's military hardware is in a shocking state of disrepair.

Too many of Europe's forces aren't ready to fight. Its fighter jets and helicopters aren't ready to fly, its ships and submarines aren't ready to sail, and its vehicles and tanks aren't ready to roll." There are other points of tension.

NATO allies have made no secret of their frustration with Biden's decision to withdraw forces from Afghanistan unconditionally by Sept. 11, for example. Many NATO members also worry about Turkey's drift away from the alliance and democratic norms, making Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an the focus of the most important bilateral meetings of the day, with Biden, and also Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "It is no secret that we have big differences with Turkey," Mitsotakis told France24.

It's not all hyper-serious military business, though. Brussels' famous Manneken Pis war trophy has a new outfit for the day. Anita Kumar, White House Correspondent & Associate Editor: That's fair, Ryan. At least from the U.S. perspective. NATO will address many topics - Afghanistan, cybersecurity, among others - but the attention is going to be on Russia and its aggressions. Biden aides say the president will be going into his meeting with Putin in a position of strength in part because he's coming from NATO where he will be seeking advice and support for his meeting.

Back home, Biden is being criticized for holding the meeting now but the White House thinks it's a good time because it comes after NATO.