Amerykańska wizja roli Sojuszu Północnoatlantyckiego po upadku systemu blokowego
American Vision of the Role of the North Atlantic Treaty after the Collapse of the Political Block System

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the United States vision and instruments of influencing the role of the NATO in the years 1989-2000. In his discussion of the processes that took place in trans-Atlantic relations at the beginning of the 1990s the author draws attention to the fact that the new situation in Europe after the collapse of the political block system affected the new role of the North Atlantic Treaty. The United States, while proclaiming the slogan of an undivided and free Europe, connected the countries of central Europe with American interests. On the other hand, in the process of European integration which was entering a new stage, the USA strove to join in the construction of the new reality in accordance with its strategic interests, maintaining the ‘‘world role’’ of its armed forces. The author also shows that at the same time the US passed on to the realization of its vision of the Treaty as an organization which engages not only in Europe and does not limit its concern or activity to the European territory, but protects its interests worldwide. It is also stressed that the USA need their European allies, especially in conducting the Treaty’s global mission that exceeds the defense of just the territory of the member states of the organization. Moreover, after initial optimism regarding security at the beginning of the 1990s, the international community has become aware of serious challenges and threats that need to be addressed by means of global instruments.

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