The implications of the changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe on NATO-Warsaw Pact relationship and the U.S. Department of Defense budget

Abstract

The thesis reviews the changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; analyzes their affect on Western security; and assesses the United States Department of Defense's possible options in terms of forces and the budget. The main findings are: (1) The Warsaw Pact threat to NATO and the United States has been significantly reduced. (2) The future of European security centers on the issue of Germany. (3) A new mission for NATO is needed which will reflect a greater emphasis on NATO's political capabilities. As East-West confrontation recedes and the prospects for East-West cooperation advance, NATO can contribute to meeting the new challenges and helping in determining the path for the evolution of European and Atlantic security. (4) The United States must revise the military budget to seize the opportunities presented by the events in 1989 and, at the same time, maintain a military capable of defending our interests and meeting the uncertainties of the future. The true challenge for future military budgets will be to use the international opportunity to save money in a sensible manner that matches defense spending with military strategy.