NATO Reconsidered: Is the Atlantic Alliance Still in America's Interest? (Praeger Security International)

Is NATO still in the best interest of the United States? This provocative work argues that the focus on NATO distracts the U.S. from the vital foreign policy challenges of the 21st century, most notably China's rise in power.Since its beginning in 1949, NATO--the North Atlantic Treaty Organization--has been at the center of U.S. foreign policy. The alliance was crucial during the decades of the Cold War, and the United States collaborated closely with NATO during crises in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya. But does the NATO alliance still serve the best interests of the U.S.?The NATO of today--one that has expanded to 30 member countries--risks involving the U.S. in unwanted military activities of the future, actions that were not intended in the original Atlantic alliance. In addition, the real challenges for foreign policy of 21st century are not in Europe, but in the expanding economic powerhouses in Asia, especially China. NATO Reconsidered argues that the changes in world politics in recent decades requires that the more than 70-year-old alliance should no longer be the principal focus of U.S. foreign policy.Makes an original and contrarian argument openly questioning U.S. participation in NATO in the 21st centuryTakes account of NATO's full history, putting today's international reality into contextAnalyzes surprising data on Germany's growing economic and political ties to Russia, questioning Germany's reliability as a NATO allyReflects the author's unique perspective on NATO stemming from experience in the State Department, in international business, and as a professor teaching world politics with a focus on EuropeOpenly eschews the globalists' party line and offers solid analysis and conclusions needed to ensure the U.S.' future securityISBN : 9781440871382 Is NATO still in the best interest of the United States? This provocative work argues that the focus on NATO distracts the U.S. from the vital foreign policy challenges of the 21st century, most notably China's rise in power. Since its beginning in 1949, NATO—the North Atlantic Treaty Organization—has been at the center of United States foreign policy. The alliance was crucial during the decades of the Cold War, and the U.S. collaborated closely with NATO during crises in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya. But does the NATO alliance still serve the best interests of the United States? The NATO of today—one that has expanded to 30 member countries—risks involving the U.S. in unwanted military activities of the future, actions that were not intended in the original Atlantic alliance. In addition, the real challenges for foreign policy of 21st century are not in Europe, but in the expanding economic powerhouses in Asia, especially China. NATO Reconsidered argues that the changes in world politics in recent decades requires that the more than 70-year-old alliance should no longer be the principal focus of U.S. foreign policy. Makes an original and contrarian argument openly questioning U.S. participation in NATO in the 21st century Takes account of NATO's full history, putting today's international reality into context Analyzes surprising data on Germany's growing economic and political ties to Russia, questioning Germany's reliability as a NATO ally Reflects the author's unique perspective on NATO stemming from experience in the State Department, in international business, and as a professor teaching world politics with a focus on Europe Openly eschews the globalists' "party line" and offers solid analysis and conclusions needed to ensure the U.S.' future security Is NATO still in the best interest of the United States? This provocative work argues that the focus on NATO distracts the U.S. from the vital foreign policy challenges of the 21st century, most notably China's rise in power. Since its beginning in 1949, NATO―the North Atlantic Treaty Organization―has been at the center of U.S. foreign policy. The alliance was crucial during the decades of the Cold War, and the United States collaborated closely with NATO during crises in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Libya. But does the NATO alliance still serve the best interests of the U.S.? The NATO of today―one that has expanded to 30 member countries―risks involving the U.S. in unwanted military activities of the future, actions that were not intended in the original Atlantic alliance. In addition, the real challenges for foreign policy of 21st century are not in Europe, but in the expanding economic powerhouses in Asia, especially China. NATO Reconsidered argues that the changes in world politics in recent decades requires that the more than 70-year-old alliance should no longer be the principal focus of U.S. foreign policy. Makes an original and contrarian argument openly questioning U.S. participation in NATO in the 21st century Takes account of NATO's full history, putting today's international reality into context Analyzes surprising data on Germany's growing economic and political ties to Russia, questioning Germany's reliability as a NATO ally Reflects the author's unique perspective on NATO stemming from experience in the State Department, in international business, and as a professor teaching world politics with a focus on Europe Openly eschews the globalists' "party line" and offers solid analysis and conclusions needed to ensure the U.S.' future security Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Maps and Tables Preface Acknowledgments 1. From NATO’s Founding through the End of the Cold War 2. NATO’s Expansion and Using NATO Forces in Kosovo and Afghanistan 3. Russia and NATO in the Twenty-First Century 4. Impact on NATO of Germany’s Growing Ties with Russia 5. NATO and the United States: Cold War to the Present 6. Growing Threat to the United States from China: Impacts on U.S. NATO Policy 7. NATO’s Relevance to the United States in Today’s Changing World Order Appendix I: The North Atlantic Treaty Appendix II: Defense Expenditures of NATO Countries (2018) Appendix III: Twelve Effective Veteran Charities Notes Index About the Author "This book will address a fundamental issue facing today's U.S. foreign policy leaders: after 70 years, is America's national interest still served by the breathtaking NATO commitment to come to the aid of any of the other 28 NATO members if it is subjected to an armed attack?"-- Provided by publisher