Paper Summary:

This paper explores NATO's future in a post Cold War world. It looks at how two camps have emerged carrying their own respective vision for the future of NATO: one side argues for the dissolution of NATO while the other argues for the expansion of NATO. The respective theoretical and practical arguments of each side are analyzed with emphasis on refuting the claims of NATO's critics. The paper also argues that NATO does face some serious but addressable challenges with a particular focus on promoting cohesion among members. A discussion of NATO's failures in Yugoslavia and the reforms that must be made in order to avert future mistakes is also included. The paper ultimately argues that NATO is an essential institution for promoting international security and sustaining the democratization of Eastern Europe and beyond.

From the Paper:

"Despite the uncertainties regarding NATO's post-cold war future, it continues to be an active and expanding institution. NATO today has expanded to 28 member states which include former enemies in the Warsaw pact. NATO members represent forty five percent of world GDP and the majority of defense spending . Expansion began in 1990 with the initiation of an "open doors policy", and during the chaos and uncertainty created by the fall of communism . The expansion of NATO's members also expanded NATO's potential sphere of operation. This is because NATO was obliged to protect its members under article 5 of the NATO convention which, as the heart of NATO, stipulated that "an attack against one was an attack against all" . This article helps to define NATO as a defensive alliance providing collective security to all members. NATO has also become more active in the post cold-war period. For example article 5 was invoked for the first time after the 9/11 attacks, and NATO also saw military action with its intervention in Yugoslavia. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brzezinski, Z. (2009, September/October). An Agenda for NATO. Retrieved March 02, 2010, from Foriegn Affairs: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/65240/zbigniew-brzezinski/an-agenda-for-nato
• European and North American Trends in Defence Industry: Problems and Prospects of a Cross-Atlantic Defence Market. (2008, 08 01). Retrieved March 05, 2010, from Foriegn Affairs and International Trade Canada: http://www.international.gc.ca/arms-armes/isrop-prisi/research-recherche/intl_security-securite_int/moens_domisiewicz2001/section13.aspx
• Haglund, D. G. (1996). The Debate over Enlarging NATO. In D. G. Haglund, Will NATO go East: the Debate over Enlarging the Atlantic Alliance (pp. vii-xiii). Canada: Queens Press.
• Ireland, G. (2007). Beyond Artful: Government and Industry Roles in Britain's Future Submarine Design, Build and Support. Retrieved March 04, 2010, from RUSI: http://www.rusi.org/downloads/assets/WHR3_Final_Report.pdf
• John Deutch, A. K. (1999, November/December). Saving NATO's Foundation. Retrieved March 02, 2010, from Foriegn Affairs: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/55603/john-deutch-arnold-kanter-and-brent-scowcroft/saving-natos-foundation

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