To Defend the Atlantic Home
Abstract
In 1989 and 1990 we have witnessed events which promise to change our basic assumptions about our security relationships. We have seen revolutions in Eastern Europe, the unstoppable march toward German reunification, and the general discrediting of Communism as a viable political and economic system. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that our policy of containment has been successful and the West has prevailed. Some academics have gone so far as to declare "the end of history," the ultimate triumph of liberal western democracy. If all this is true, then it is easy to make a case that U.S. armed forces should come home from Europe. Perhaps NATO has outlived its usefulness and is no longer needed. Even before the events of this year, the evidence was mounting that the alliance had become characterized by a European over-reliance on the U.S. nuclear deterrent and U.S. over-extension. = But a retreat from our involvement in Europe into a "fortress America" could be our worst possible reaction to the good news of the past year. We need to reflect on our own national interests and the interests of the Atlantic Community. My purpose in this paper is to examine NATO's future in light of the legitimate security interests of the member nations and the realities of the past year's events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA437376
Entities
People
- Tim Kinnan
Organizations
- National War College