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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

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As a military alliance with roots in the Cold War, NATO's strategy and purpose have had to shift since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. RAND has assisted U.S. and European defense establishments by recommending expansion strategies; analyzing activities in the Balkans and Afghanistan, areas outside NATO's traditional focus; and advising decisionmakers on issues critical to NATO's mission and the interests of its member nations.

Commentary
Avoiding a Long War in Ukraine
The United States has a strong interest in avoiding a long war in Ukraine. Although Washington cannot alone determine the war's duration, it can take steps to make an eventual negotiated peace more likely.
Jan 25, 2023
Commentary
A New Era? NATO's Prioritisation of Human Security in an Insecure World
Human security and NATO's role and responsibility to protect civilians during conflict saw new prioritization in the alliance's 2022 Strategic Concept. While much progress has been made, more could be done to ensure the alliance can deliver on these commitments.
Aug 10, 2022

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Commentary
Strengthening Strategic Stability with Russia
Strategic stability between the United States and Russia is eroding, but the two countries still share a deep interest in avoiding nuclear war. Strengthening stability will be challenging. Meaningful progress will require courage and sacrifices on both sides.
Jul 7, 2017
Report
Emerging Opportunities for Engagement on NATO's Northeastern Flank
Will renewed tension between NATO and Russia prevent key U.S. allies and partners in Europe from being able to contribute to U.S. regional defense objectives? What can the U.S. do to strengthen its European partnerships?
Jun 20, 2017
Commentary
NATO: Prepared for Countering Disinformation Operations in the Baltic States?
NATO alliance countries deploying to the Baltics should prepare to deal with increasing levels of disinformation. An open and robust communication strategy could be crucial in tackling a sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign aimed at disrupting support for these deployments.
Jun 7, 2017
Commentary
Georgia Wants Reassurance That America Will Help Deter Russia
Georgia is an emerging democracy in a difficult region with mainly authoritarian regimes nearby. To overcome severe challenges from Russian military occupation and economic weakness, it deserves sustained Western support.
May 25, 2017
News Release
Russia Perceives U.S.-Led International Order as a Threat to Its Security and Interests, but Also Seeks Cooperation
Russia sees the international order as dominated by the United States and as a threat to its interests. While U.S. and Russian interests overlap and cooperation is feasible in some areas like counterterrorism, others conflict, such as U.S. support for liberal democracy and the expansion of NATO. What are U.S. policy options?
May 18, 2017
Report
How Does Russia View the International Order?
Russia sees the U.S.-led international order as a threat to its interests. U.S. and Russian interests overlap in some areas, such as counterterrorism. But they are directly opposed in others. What are America's policy options?
May 18, 2017
Report
Lessons from Russia's Operations in Ukraine
Russia's annexation of Crimea was a decisive use of military force toward political ends. But Russia benefited from favorable circumstances that make this hard to replicate. Moscow likely considers its campaign in Eastern Ukraine a strategic success but an unsuccessful operation.
May 9, 2017
Commentary
NATO's Role in Post-Caliphate Stability Operations
Steps are needed to fill the vacuum left as the caliphate collapses, lest forces on the ground turn on each other to gain control. The answer is for NATO to act under U.S. leadership. The alternative is either chaos or Iran — backed by Russia — filling the void.
May 2, 2017
Testimony
Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States: What it Takes to Win: Addendum
Document submitted April 17, 2017, as an addendum to testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces on March 1, 2017.
May 2, 2017
Testimony
Limiting Regret: Building the Army We Will Need — An Update: Addendum
Document submitted April 17, 2017, as an addendum to testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces on March 1, 2017.
May 2, 2017
Multimedia
Direction of Foreign Policy in Trump Administration's First 100 Days
In this Call with the Experts, RAND senior fellow, James Dobbins, as well as RAND senior international policy analyst, Linda Robinson, discuss the Trump administration's emerging foreign policy strategy as it approaches the symbolic 100-day milestone.
Apr 26, 2017
Report
European Relations with Russia in the Wake of the Ukrainian Crisis
Perceptions of Russia as a military threat differ sharply across Europe. But European leaders generally agree that relations with Russia have changed irreparably, tensions are unlikely to recede anytime soon, and future actions toward Russia will depend on Moscow's behavior.
Apr 13, 2017
Commentary
A Three-Menu Path for Trump Foreign Policy
The Trump administration would benefit from a comprehensive strategic orientation — a basic set of operating principles backed by a set of actions and realistic budget — to guide the innumerable tactical decisions of U.S. foreign policy.
Apr 10, 2017
Commentary
The Hidden Potential of NATO's Gator Navies
Improving U.S.-European amphibious interoperability would bolster the alliance's defense posture in a non-provocative manner that complements recent moves in land forces. The 2017 Summit in Brussels presents an opportunity to refine allied ground posture while adding this maritime dimension.
Mar 17, 2017
Commentary
How Will Defense and Security Be Affected by Brexit?
Trade and migration issues have dominated Brexit discussions. But the UK's decision to leave the EU also creates challenges for security, deepening uncertainty at a time when little certainty exists.
Mar 16, 2017
Commentary
Defense and Security Implications of Brexit: International Perspectives
The UK has begun negotiations to leave the EU. How can defense and security actors plan for, mitigate, and address the uncertainties brought on by Brexit?
Mar 5, 2017
Report
What Are the Defense and Security Implications of Brexit?
Brexit negotiations have focused on trade, sovereignty, and immigration. But the UK's decision to leave the EU also raises important defense and security questions for the UK, Europe, and the world.
Mar 5, 2017
Report
Defence and security after Brexit: Understanding the possible implications of the UK's decision to leave the EU — Overview report
This RAND study examines the potential defence and security implications of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union ('Brexit'), whether for the UK, Europe or globally.
Mar 5, 2017
Multimedia
Tipping Points in the Arctic
In this Events @ RAND podcast, a panel of experts discuss several potential economic, environmental, and political
Mar 2, 2017
Report
How to Maintain Arctic Cooperation with Russia
Despite tensions between Russia and the West, Arctic cooperation has remained intact. But America should prepare for changes that may alter Moscow's incentives. These include rising interest in Arctic resources and greater maritime access due to climate change.
Mar 2, 2017

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RAND Topic:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Topic Synonyms:
NATO;
North Atlantic Alliance;
OTAN

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Monika Cooper

Senior Technical Analyst, Doctoral Candidate, Former Combatant Commands & NATO Liaison, RAND National Security Research Division (NSRD)

Monika Cooper (she/her) is a senior technical advisor at RAND Corporation in Arlington, VA, and previously served on the International Staff as a Communications, Command, Control, and Surveillance (C3S) life cycle expert for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels, Belgium from…
Krystyna Marcinek

Associate Policy Researcher, RAND

Krystyna Marcinek (she/her) is an associate policy researcher at RAND. Her research interests include international security, strategic competition, deterrence, NATO, Russia, and Ukraine. She has also studied the role of emerging technologies in the future of warfare.

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