NATO's Future and Relevance
Abstract
The world's most powerful alliance is constantly demonstrating resilience. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will continue to ensure allied partners common defense and security regardless of emerging threats, challenges, and declining resources. The transformation of NATO is not an event -- it is a process that must continue over time. From its creation in 1949 until the end of 1991, the NATO mission was to deter the Soviets and, failing that, to defend Western Europe from a Soviet invasion. NATO was a critical element in a multi-pronged U.S. strategy to maintain peace and security in Europe -- a successful strategy. Now the Cold War is over and Europe is no longer under the clear threat of a Soviet take-over. Yet NATO remains a key player in an everlasting sense by helping to strengthen transatlantic relations amongst its members. This SRP argues that NATO remains a viable strategic asset in the current volatile global environment. Critics have contended that the end of the Cold War signaled the end of NATO; this SRP challenges such contentions. Indeed, NATO's continued existence is of great importance to an on-going peaceful world order.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA561836
Entities
People
- Blanche E. Ostrosky
Organizations
- United States Army War College