The Obama Administration’s Vision for the Future of NATO

Sally McNamara / February 24, 2010

In a series of events in Washington this week, the Obama Administration has laid out its vision for the future of NATO. As part of NATO’s on-going review of its Strategic Concept, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Bob Gates have each made public speeches outlining what NATO should look like in the future. And for the most part, their recommendations follow The Heritage Foundation’s Principles and Proposals for NATO Reform:

• The Alliance needs a new threat perception to address asymmetrical threats such as terrorism, cyberterrorism, ballistic missile attack, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;

• As a pillar of the international security system, NATO remains indispensable, and its enlargement needs to continue;

• The Alliance needs new, more flexible decision making procedures;

• Article V remains the heart and soul of NATO;

• NATO must confront security challenges both in and out of area; and

• NATO needs more equitable sharing of risks and responsibilities within the alliance. (more…)