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NATO'S new strategic concept: a critical view

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Rafael Calduch Cervera
 

He is a Full Professor in International Law and International Relations, and Director of the Faculty

of Information Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), Director of the Complutense Institute of International Studies and a member of the Governing Council of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. He has held various academic positions, including that of Professor “Jean Monnet” in the EU Institutions Course, Director of the Master Degree in International Relations and Communication, Director of the Specialised Course in International Information on Southern Countries (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), and Area Coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe in the Master offered by the Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (CESEDEN). He is a Doctor in Political and Economic Science (Universidad Complutense de Madrid). He was awarded the honour “Cruz al Mérito Aeronáutico con distintivo blanco” ("Cross of Aeronautical Merit with white emblem”).

Abstract

The changes that followed the adoption of the previous NATO's strategic concept in 1999 forced a review of its goals, threats and risks,  as well as a new look at the capabilities of the organization at a time dominated by the economic crisis and cuts in its members’ defence budgets.

On this occasion, the development of a strategic concept begun with a proposal made by a commission of experts, and a public debate which transformed the final text into a diplomatic document, not into a true useful document capable of guiding strategic planning over the next decade.

These differences between the goals established by the document and the actual resources available to NATO were noted immediately with regard to the crisis management system, for which the organization does not possess the structures and civil means. It is not clear either that this limitation can be solved through cooperation with the EU. The involvement of NATO in the international mission in Libya will be the first test to ascertain the validity and effectiveness of this new strategic concept.

Keywords

NATO; New Strategic Concept; Defence; World Security, Crisis Management

How to cite this article

Cervera, Rafael Calduch (2011). "NATO’s new strategic concept: a critical view”. JANUS.NET e-journal of International Relations, Vol. 2, N.º 1, Spring 2011. Consulted [online] on date of last visit, observare.ual.pt/janus.net/en_vol2_n1_art4.

Article received in April 2011 and accepted for publication in May 2011