West European Defense Identity: Implications for U.S. Security Policy
Abstract
This thesis examines whether the development of a West European defense identity could result in the marginalization of the United States in European security affairs. The fundamental changes in the European security environment since 1989 provide the starting point for the analysis. The thesis reviews U.S. and West European assessments of the risks and threats affecting European security, and several of the other key issues associated with the quest for West European defense identity: motives for identity, prospects for West European nuclear cooperation, Germany's role, and NATO's future in the changing security environment. The thesis concludes that while many factors in European- American relations and international politics will shape the future of the Atlantic Alliance, the U.S. government, and the Congress in particular, will play perhaps the pivotal role in determining the extent of future U.S. participation in European security affairs. West European defense; West European security; NATO; Western European Union (WEU); European military alliances; European Community
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA256534
Entities
People
- Douglas W. Mikatarian
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School