North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the United States, and International Legitimacy
Abstract
This monograph illustrates that in order for the United States to maintain its security and position as a global power, it will need to dedicate itself to the development of its relationship within NATO and its member states. Identifying the benefits for continued United States support to NATO is the objective of this monograph. For the purpose of this study, three pillars of the U.S.--NATO relationship are discussed: (1) politics; (2) military; and (3) international legitimacy. As a member country, the United States interaction within NATO is investigated in three contemporary case studies: Kosovo from 1998-1999, the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 2008, and Libya in 2011. NATO's Operation Allied Force intervention campaign in Kosovo, demonstrated NATO's application of political and military pressure in the post-Cold War era. NATO's interaction with Georgia before, during and after the Russian invasion of 2008 identified the complex nature of NATO political expansion into East and Eastern Central Europe. NATO's Operation Unified Protector in Libya helped re-define NATO outside its geographic boundaries. All three case studies have identified strengths and weaknesses for United States membership in NATO. NATO's strengths provide national legitimacy through a regional organization, increased military power projection through basing, and United States foreign policy influence within a regional organization. NATO's weakness includes a lack of equitable burden sharing from all NATO members; degradation of United States influence within the organization; and a lack of political consensus within NATO.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA612153
Entities
People
- Mark B. Van Gelder
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College