NATO and the War on Terrorism: objectives and obstacles

This thesis examines the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the global war on terrorism. It focuses on NATO’s objectives as well as the obstacles to its active and effective participation in countering this new security challenge. The thesis first analyzes NATO’s response to the terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001 and the resulting transformation in NATO’s strategic focus and capabilities, which is designed to ensure its relevance in the new security environment. The thesis then examines the key political and military factors that might, in some circumstances, undermine the Atlantic Alliance and hinder the important task of combating terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These factors constitute challenges that must be successfully met for the Atlantic Alliance to play a strong role in the war on terrorism.http://archive.org/details/natondwaronterro109451706Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited