NATO - Time to Retire the Colors?
Abstract
For the heads of state and government representing the 16 member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Rome Summit of 7-8 November 1991 presented the Euro-Atlantic Alliance a chance to respond to the key question: Has NATO lost its raison d'etre? Crafting a response was no small undertaking in light of the collapse of the Soviet threat and the accompanying political changes sweeping Europe, which have significantly altered the security environment there. Nevertheless, the NATO leaders sought to provide a positive answer. They had promised at an earlier summit, held in London in 1990, to develop a new strategy to adapt NATO to the new Europe for presentation in Rome. Not surprisingly, the Alliance leadership unveiled a plan in Rome that outlined a rationale for a continued role for NATO. The plan, called "New Strategic Concept" (NSC), dictated that "Prudence requires us to maintain an overall strategic balance and to remain ready to meet any potential risks to our security which may arise from instability or tensions." Acknowledging that the threat of a full-scale attack on NATO's European fronts had disappeared, the NSC contended nevertheless that an environment of uncertainty and unpredictability existed. This meant that the Alliance "...retained its enduring value." According to the document, the allies would respond to the new, more favorable security circumstances in Europe. The Alliance promised to reduce its military forces and to restructure them along smaller, more flexible, mobile lines. They would be more multinational in nature as well. Further, NATO reaffirmed its commitment to be less reliant on nuclear weapons. The author contends that, at a time of continued strain and adjustment, NATO can provide a stabilizing influence at least over the short-term. He proposes that the Alliance be granted a lease on life out to the year 2000, using the New Strategic Concept as its mandate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA437167
Entities
People
- Felix C. Vargas Jr
Organizations
- National War College