After the end of the Soviet Communism, the NATO was described by
many experts as a dying institution. Kenneth Waltz, an American
political scientist judged the NATO in 1990 as a “disappearing thing”
and he forecasted, that it’s only a question of time until this institution
will become insignificant.1 The big common enemy was missing and the
probability of a new rising threat for western civilization was about zero.
The need of article V, including its security guarantees seemed to be
useless and therewith the “raison d’être” of the biggest multilateral
intergovernmental security community was lost. Critics see the NATO
as a relic from the Cold War and suspect the United States of America
to utilize this institution in order to enlarge and intensify their worldwide
sphere of influence.2 The only fait accompli is the fact that NATO has
changed. To underline this statement General Secretary Robertson was
wearing a t-shirt, with the slogan “This ain’t your daddy’s NATO”, at the
NATO summit 2003 in Colorado Springs.3 The question accrues what
the NATO exactly is in our days and if the changes made, since 1990
are significant enough to guarantee the survival of the biggest
multilateral military alliance? The following essay analyzes what the
NATO is and investigates the different future scenarios of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definition NATO
- Analyze of the modern NATO
- Actual threats and new functions
- Five scenarios on the future
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the current state and potential future scenarios of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the 21st century. It explores the evolution of NATO since the end of the Cold War, focusing on its defining characteristics and the challenges it faces in the new geopolitical landscape.
- The changing nature of NATO in the post-Cold War era
- The evolving security threats faced by NATO
- The role of NATO as an international organization, security community, and political entity
- The impact of the US-led Iraq War on NATO's unity and effectiveness
- The future of NATO in light of emerging security challenges and the evolving role of the US
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by defining NATO as a multifaceted institution, encompassing a military command structure, security community, and political framework. It highlights NATO's enduring existence as an international organization with a strong security community aspect, marked by close cooperation and shared benefits among member states. However, the essay argues that NATO's role as a political entity is undergoing significant change, particularly after the Iraq crisis, which strained its internal unity and effectiveness. The essay then examines the contemporary threats facing NATO, such as terrorism, weapons proliferation, and resource conflicts. It outlines NATO's evolving functions in response to these challenges, including its ongoing role in peacekeeping operations and its efforts to prevent conflict and promote crisis management.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay focuses on the key concepts of NATO's evolution, security threats, and its diverse functions in the post-Cold War era. This includes analyzing the organization's identity as an international organization, security community, and political forum. It also explores the impact of contemporary security challenges, such as terrorism and resource conflicts, on NATO's evolving role and influence. The essay utilizes concepts such as strategic papers, article V, and peace-keeping operations to understand NATO's changing nature and its future trajectory.
- Quote paper
- Jenny Werner (Author), 2008, How Does the Future of the NATO Look Like in the New Century?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/130976
