The Sixteenth Nation: Spain's Role in NATO,
Abstract
In 1982, Spain became the first nation in more than a quarter of a century to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This historic event, however, has not silenced discussion on the implications of Spanish membership of the future of this security alliance. The author examines the benefits accruing to the alliance as a result of Spanish membership. From the military standpoint, Spanish ground, naval, and air forces will moderately increase NATO strength. Spanish territory adds substantially to NATO's rear area for conventional war-fighting purposes. Other gains are longer-range and more geopolitical in nature: possible improved relations with the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America; a bolstering of the image of NATO as a viable alliance; and new strategic options for NATO planners. On the other hand, were Spain to withdraw from the alliance-perhaps as a result of Spanish politics-the damage may outweigh the gains offered by NATO's sixteenth nation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA127635
Entities
People
- William L. Heiberg
Organizations
- National Defense University