This research paper re-assesses the role of the United States in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Its thesis is that the United States should: (1) avoid becoming further en-tangled in the current NATO offensive against Yugoslavia, in particular not to become involved in a NATO ground war against Serbian forces, and help accomplish a negotiated settlement of that crisis; and (2) thereafter, confine its support to future NATO military actions which go beyond defense against attack on NATO countries to the provision of military and technical assist-ance. The United States should reduce its role in NATO for the following reasons: (1) the original threats which induced the united states to playa leading role in the creation of NATO have substantially diminished for the foreseeable future; (2) the current expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe and regional conflicts in the Balkans violates international law and runs counter to the vital national security interests of the United States; (3) NATO's on-going military campaign against Yugoslavia is ill-conceived and is likely to involve the united States indefinitely in a protracted conflict and highly uncertain outcome; (4) faced with more pressing priorities elsewhere, the United States should induce the Europeans to assume primary responsibility for their own security.
NATO's Original Raison D'Etre. Lord Ismay, the British first Secretary General of NATO, said that its purpose was "to keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down" (Rodman, 1995, 31 Jan., p. 35). In-depth analysis of the considerations
which led to the creation of NATO and sustained its unity for most of its 50 year old history suggests that they are no longer pre-sent and that attempts to prop up its tottering structure or to expand its role are not consistent with American vital interests.
It was in the geopolitical interests of the United States and its Western allies to create NATO in ...