NATO: Potential Sources of Tension

摘要

Throughout the beginning of 1999, NATO has experienced a period of relative internal calm. NATO is threatened neither by a powerful external threat nor by overarching internal strategic differences, and enjoys a degree of support that may indeed be higher than during the Cold War. Nevertheless, there are potential sources of strain and tension within the Alliance. Such strains collectively could introduce more serious tensions, especially with the imposition of other, unanticipated kinds of tension or crisis. Several long term tensions that existed during the Cold War continue to affect NATO today. These include geography as it affects how an Ally perceives its own interests, French exception and interpretation of its national independence, and the real purpose of the Alliance. Short and medium term issues include: (1) enlargement; (2) strategic concept review; (3) cost issues; (4) European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI); (5) counter proliferation and terrorism; (6) U.S. technology gap; (7) adaptation issues; (8) Greece and Turkey; and the (9) Balkans.