NATO Expansion: Making the Case for the 2002 Summit
Abstract : This monograph examines the United States' position regarding further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to include additional countries that were part of the former Warsaw Pact during the Cold War. This process has been evolving since the early l990s and has already seen Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic join the ranks of the alliance in 1999. The purpose of this monograph is to recommend a position that the United States should favor at the 2002 Summit in Prague, where the allies will address further expansion. This monograph begins by analyzing the history of NATO, an alliance that many consider one of the most successful in history, concentrating on NATO's evolving strategy after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact in 1991. This monograph also explains why the United States must stay involved in European affairs and keep Europe as a cornerstone of our national security strategy. This monograph next analyzes lessons learned from previous alliance expansions and how the alliance has helped solve historic differences between countries, as in the case of France and Germany, or perhaps helped them at least avoid war, as in the case of Greece and Turkey. This section also analyzes the impact of the first round of expansion on the alliance and concludes with a brief country overview of each of the nine NATO aspirant countries. This monograph next evaluates the suitability, feasibility, and acceptability of the nine aspirant countries wishing to join the alliance.
NATO Expansion - The Struggle to Achieve Full Partnership.
Abstract : If NATO is to continue to be successful as a security guarantor, it must adapt itself to the current geo-political realities of today's European landscape. Membership expansion is clearly a key element of NATO's strategy in achieving this goal. Recently, invitations to join NATO have been extended to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. The Madrid Conference was just the beginning of a long and arduous process that will hopefully culminate in full partnership for these fledgling candidate nations. Initially these countries will be unable to fulfill their commitments as fully contributing partners. Their formal entrance into NATO will occur in April, 1999, but it will take at least 15-20 years to complete the transition from cold war opponents to fully capable alliance members.
Bulgaria and NATO: 7 Lost Years
Abstract : Bulgaria's actions and policies on military reform between 1990 and March 1997 left the country's institutions and military largely unprepared for integration with the Alliance. Bulgarian government and military officials have emerged from the state's self-imposed isolation lacking an understanding of how far behind they are, as well as what they need to do, to seek integration. Bulgaria's armed forces are only now starting to reform and downsize. The resultant social and economic pain has yet to be felt, and the state is likely to suffer significant political consequences. Some social and political figures may elect to portray the United States and NATO as the cause of Bulgaria's social, economic, and political pain. Bulgaria's citizens, politicians and military need NATO to better define its standards for interoperability.