The Strategic and Operational Implications of NATO Enlargement in the Baltic Region

 

As the September 11, 2001, attacks make plain, the range of global challenges to the interests of the United States and the West is on the rise after a decade of comparative quiet following the end of the Cold War. NATO can and should remain an essential tool for coordinating both political and military action within the Euro-Atlantic community. However, the Alliance's relevance and effectiveness will be determined by its ability to adapt to the new security setting and by the willingness of its members to make sound choices about the Alliance's enlargement and internal restructuring. The Prague Summit, held in November 2002, was a pivotal milestone in this regard.

As part of its ongoing study of defense trends and security planning perspectives, IFPA has released a white paper examining a central element of the enlargement debate: the potential consequences of Baltic membership -- both for NATO itself and for U.S. national interests. The Strategic and Operational Implications of NATO Enlargement in the Baltic Region provides a brief overview of the issues surrounding enlargement along NATO's northern flank and offers a frank assessment of the costs and benefits of offering Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania invitations at Prague.