Poland and the United States: A Bridge Between West and East
Abstract
Any analysis of Poland's importance to the United States should rest on the tenet that Poland serves a critical role in Europe as a bridge between East and West, occupying a strategic geopolitical position in central Europe. In fact, Poland dominates the sub region of Central Europe with a population of some 40 million. If Poland and its neighbors in Central Europe are successful in their transition to liberal market democracies, the chances of Eastern (Ukraine, Belarus, Russia) and southern (Balkan) Europe to do the same are enhanced. These developments would all serve the larger, vital U.S. interest in a prosperous and stable Europe. The Poles themselves are clearly eager to play a useful role in supporting these interests within the region. As one analyst has observed: Polish leaders have consistently presented their country as a bridge to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, and Warsaw has pursued a very active bilateral political engagement with these countries&Policy statements [by top Polish officials] reflect a consensus about the importance of stabilizing the states emerging from the former Soviet Union as a key foreign policy goal. Poland's transition to a mature democracy and a free market economy is thus key to the larger U.S. goal of "a Europe that is truly integrated, democratic, prosperous and at peace." As such, it is important that the United States pursue a carefully nuanced policy toward Poland that will solidify the latter's progress within Europe. The United States wisely used its influence to ensure Polish acceptance into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and it now supports Poland's bid to enter the European Union (EU).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 26, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA441645
Entities
People
- Kathleen A. Mahoney-norris
Organizations
- National War College