In the Laps of the Gods: The Origins of NATO Forward Defense

Abstract

The military strategy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is two-pronged, consisting of the principles known as flexible response and forward defense. While the flexible response doctrine has been subjected to intense scrutiny since its promulgation in 1967, the forward defense strategy more often has been neglected by analysts. This article addresses this less thoroughly examined side of NATO strategy, exploring the operational origins, rather than the strategic or political origins, of the forward defense strategy in the formative years of the alliance, 1945-55.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA509967

Entities

People

  • James A. Blackwell Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Information Operations
  • Military Strategy
  • Nato
  • Security
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design