Skip to page content

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Featured

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

Finland and Sweden Mull NATO Membership

Mar 3, 2022

After decades of military neutrality between NATO and Russia, recent events saw a potential sea-change in how Finland and Sweden consider their role with the NATO alliance. NATO leadership could start planning now so that if Sweden and Finland make the jump to joining the alliance, they can be welcomed in quickly.
Commentary

Ensuring Russia's War with Ukraine Doesn't Morph into Direct Conflict with NATO

Mar 2, 2022

Russia has launched an unprecedented act of aggression against Ukraine. The United States and its allies must respond forcefully. But as they do, they should take into account the possibility of triggering a spiral of escalation that could lead to the only outcome worse than the invasion of Ukraine itself: a hot war between Russia and NATO.

Explore North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Report

NATO's Amphibious Forces: Command and Control of a Multibrigade Alliance Task Force

At the request of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, RAND researchers facilitated three wargaming events exploring how to leverage and enhance the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s existing amphibious capacity by organizing extant national forces into a coherent multibrigade command and control (C2) structure.

Jun 27, 2019
Blog

Iran, School Discipline, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the costs of U.S.–Iran confrontation, discipline reform in America's schools, why the North Korea problem is bigger than nukes, and more.

Jun 21, 2019
Report

Cyberspace as a Military Domain: Lessons for NATO

In 2016, NATO identified cyberspace as a new operational domain. What steps has the alliance taken since then to bolster its cyber capabilities? And what are the greatest challenges that still lie ahead?

Jun 20, 2019
News Release

U.S. Military Gaps in Funding and Personnel Need Addressing to Deter Global Aggression

A significant gap exists between the stated strategic and defense policies of the United States and the resources and capabilities required to implement those policies successfully.

May 7, 2019
Report

Gaps Exist Between U.S. Strategy and Military Capacity

There will not be enough resources to close the technological, doctrinal, and budgetary gaps between stated U.S. aims and the military capabilities needed to achieve them. What changes to U.S. strategy and investments could help close these gaps, and which missions should be prioritized?

May 7, 2019
News Release

Nonviolent Ways the United States Could Exploit Russian Vulnerabilities

Russia's use of information warfare and its conventional military arsenal make it a formidable opponent, but the state also has significant weaknesses that could be exploited. A range of nonviolent measures could stress Russia's military, its economy, and the regime's political standing at home and abroad.

Apr 24, 2019
Report

Extending Russia: Competing for Advantageous Ground

The United States is locked in a great-power competition with Russia. What are Russia's greatest anxieties and vulnerabilities? How can the United States exploit these vulnerabilities? And what are the potential costs and risks of doing so?

Apr 24, 2019
Research Brief

Nonviolent Ways the United States Could Exploit Russian Vulnerabilities

Despite its vulnerabilities and anxieties, Russia remains a formidable opponent in a few key domains. What non-violent, cost-imposing measures could the United States pursue to stress Russia's economy, its military, and the regime's political standing at home and abroad?

Apr 24, 2019
Blog

School Reform, Sanctions, Russian Aggression: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on what educators think about school reform, the devastating impacts of economic sanctions, deterring Russian aggression in the Baltics, and more.

Apr 19, 2019
News Release

Unconventional Approaches Could Help Deter Russian Intimidation and Aggression Against the Baltic States

Amid concerns that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are vulnerable to Russian intimidation and hybrid warfare, a new RAND Corporation report concludes that unconventional defense plans could help deter and counteract Russian aggression.

Apr 15, 2019
Report

Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are vulnerable to low-level, hybrid, and full-scale attacks by Russian forces. Which unconventional strategies could they use to deter aggression and buy time for conventional military responses? And how can NATO allies help develop and fund these efforts?

Apr 15, 2019
Blog

NATO's 70th Anniversary, Food Deserts, Teachers: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on effective teachers, NATO's 70th anniversary, food deserts, and more.

Apr 5, 2019
Multimedia

The United States and Europe Since World War II: A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

An overview of testimony by Christine Wormuth presented before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment on March 26, 2019.

Mar 26, 2019
Testimony

The U.S.-European Partnership Since World War II

The relationship between the United States and Europe has advanced U.S. and global security since the end of World War II. The partnership has benefited the United States several times, including during the post-Cold War period, the years after the September 11 attacks, and the current era of strategic competition with Russia and China.

Mar 26, 2019
Multimedia

Strategic Rethink: America's Security Deficit

The global security landscape is shifting dramatically. How can the United States protect itself in today's tumultuous world? This video provides an overview of findings from the second volume in RAND's Strategic Rethink series, which recommends a suite of options that could help policymakers ensure that resources remain aligned with strategic demands.

Mar 7, 2019
Commentary

NATO Needs a European Level of Ambition

As NATO finalizes its new political guidance designed to shape future military forces, it has the chance to both strengthen Europe’s commitment to burden-sharing and relieve American concern about the creation of a new European Army. Building an enhanced European capacity within NATO entails some risk, but the benefits may outweigh concerns.

Dec 10, 2018
Commentary

No Russian Let-Up on Ukraine

Moscow's seizure of Crimea and war in eastern Ukraine have led the West to sanction Russians and expand aid to Ukraine, and NATO to shift land and air forces eastward. Expanded Russian coercion may draw more NATO naval power closer to Russia's shores and lead to tougher sanctions.

Dec 7, 2018
Report

Building Partner-Nation Capacity Through the Defense Education Enhancement Program

This document reviews the Defense Education Enhancement Program (DEEP) by defining the program, its functions, and why it is valuable to participating nations.

Dec 4, 2018
Journal Article

NATO's Return to the North Atlantic: Implications for the Defense of Northern Europe

NATO allies and partners are refocusing on the maritime dimension of deterrence in the North Atlantic and Northern Europe in response to Russian assertiveness and deployment of new naval capabilities. They need to better integrate defense plans.

Nov 9, 2018
Commentary

Merkel's Departure: A Star Begins to Dim

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to not seek re-election may signal an end to two key features of post-WWII Europe.

Oct 31, 2018

Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next

RAND Topic:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Topic Synonyms:
NATO;
North Atlantic Alliance;
OTAN

Research conducted by