NATO's Out-of-Area Disputes: Prospects for Common Western Strategies in the Middle East
Abstract
This thesis traces the origins of NATO's out-of-area debate and suggest that the Middle East was a major strategic concern from the outset. However, NATO has been unable to formulate a common security policy to protect Western interests in the Middle East. The thesis suggests that out-of-area contingencies in the Middle East might be dealt with more effectively through United States-Western European (WEU) cooperation than under NATO auspices. This assessment is made in view of the successful ad hoc coordination of Western naval operations in the 1987-1988 'Tanker War' and in the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. Cooperation between the United States and the WEU, both pillars of NATO, seems to be more practical politically than through NATO itself. Tne thesis concludes that the allies concerned must develop improved institutional links between the WEU and NATO in order to respond to future contingencies beyond Europe. In this way the United States and the WEU can utilize all of their capabilities and assets effectively.... North Atlantic Treaty Organization, WEU, 1956 Suez Canal Crisis, 1973 Yom Kippur War, 1987-1988 'Tanker War,' 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA260870
Entities
People
- Dale G. Fuller
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School