NATO's out-of-area disputes : prospects for common western strategies in the Middle East.

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Authors
Fuller, Dale G.
Subjects
North AUantic Treaty Organization
Advisors
Yost, David S.
Date of Issue
1992-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
This thesis traces the origins of NATO's out-of-area debate and suggests that the Middle East was a major strategic concern from the outset. However, NATO has been unable to formulate a common security policy to protect Western interests in the Middle East. The thesis suggests that out-of-area contingencies in the Middle East might be dealt with more effectively through United States- Western European Union (WEU) cooperation than under NATO auspices . This assessment is made in view of the successful ad hoc coordination of Western naval operations in the 1987-1988 "Tanker War" and in the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. Cooperation between the United States and the WEU, both pillars of NATO, seems to be more practical politically than through NATO itself. The thesis concludes that the allies concerned must develop improved institutional links between the WEU and NATO in order to respond to future contingencies beyond Europe. In this way the United States and the WEU can utilize all of their capabilities and assets effectively.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
108 p.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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