SCO summit highlights clash of security visions – expert

Western blocs have “looked for enemies outside” while the East has stressed guarding against terrorism and separatism, Einar Tangen has said

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) approach to security is radically different to the prevalent “aggressive” model in the West, a US seecurity analyst told RT on Monday.

Commentator Einar Tangen made the comments shortly after the ten SCO members endorsed a key declaration calling for reforms and new principles in global governance that reject typical Western international relations practices.

The SCO’s focus differs markedly from Western blocs because they “look for enemies outside” and present a narrative of a “big bad wolf out there.” In contrast, “SCO is the exact opposite,” he stated. He explained that the SCO instead emphasizes threats “within our society with terrorism, separatism, extremism” that must be guarded against.

Read more

Tangen remarked that the contrasting worldviews are consistent when Putin asserts “it’s time to do something about Ukraine. Remember, this always had to do with the security of Russia and the infringement by both Europe and the United States directly against their word of going into Ukraine.”

He further contrasted Western and Eastern alliances. While the West’s byline “is kind of aggressive,” the message from groups such as the SCO and BRICS emphasizes “multilateralism, a multipolar world, fairness amongst all nations.”

Tangen reflected on how peaceful intentions are often misinterpreted. “A thief always believes everyone else is a thief,” he said, noting that people tend to project their own behavior onto others. “There’s a lot of transference … where people just assume you’re like them and will act as they do.” He added that this mindset shapes much of Washington’s thinking.

“They think as an empire, so they see enemies everywhere and maintain hegemony by keeping other countries in fear,” Tanged said.