NATO: The Past, the Present, the Future
NATO: The Past, the Present, the Future

Summary/Abstract: The countries who adapted themselves – often painfully and expensively – to conform to the standards of a full Alliance member expected to gain full membership itself. The journey to a reformed military, to civic and judicial reform, to sustainable political institutions and to resolving neighbourhood conflicts was accelerated by the carrot of full membership. Without that carrot – and a few well deployed sticks too, it is unlikely that the remarkable peaceful transition would have taken place. The concept of collective security underpinned the foundation of NATO. Today’s challenges and threats may be different, but they still represent a collective danger. After seventy years NATO is as strong and relevant as it ever was. It still is the cornerstone of the defence of its member states. We all have a right to celebrate the most successful defence alliance ever.

• Details
• Contents