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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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Journal Article
The Impact of New and Emerging Technologies on the Cyber Threat Landscape and Their Implications for NATO
This paper discusses a selection of new and emerging technologies with potentially disruptive effects, particularly concerning cyber threats that may stem from their maturation and use over the next decade.
Jan 12, 2021
Journal Article
Cyber Threats to NATO from a Multi-Domain Perspective
This paper situates cyber threats in the wider context of evolving multi-domain operations (MDO) theory and practice.
Jan 12, 2021
Journal Article
Russia's Cyber Limitations in Personnel Recruitment and Innovation, Their Potential Impact on Future Operations and How NATO and Its Members Can Respond
This chapter addresses questions arising from the gap that separates Russian cyber personnel and capabilities from its ambitions and what effect this disparity has on future state-backed cyber campaigns.
Dec 23, 2020
Report
Japan-Europe Security Ties in the Age of Strategic Competition
Some of America's strongest allies are its European partners and Japan. In an age of growing strategic competition, how are these allies cooperating with one another? And how might these partnerships affect the United States?
Dec 21, 2020
Multimedia
Expert Insights: Defence Challenges and Opportunities for Norway
Ruth Harris, research director for the Defence, Security, and Infrastructure group at RAND Europe, is joined by senior political scientist Stephen Flanagan and international defence researcher Gene Germanovich in a discussion about their study on enhancing deterrence and defence on NATO's northern flank.
Dec 14, 2020
Commentary
Standing Together on NATO's North Flank: UK-Norwegian Defence Cooperation
The UK and Norway share a long and close history, bound by shared experiences as seafaring nations whose political, cultural, and economic development have been shaped in part by their exploitation of the North Sea and North Atlantic. Much could remain to be gained from continuing to deepen and evolve their longstanding partnership to meet the new challenges of the 21st century.
Dec 9, 2020
Commentary
Unlocking NATO's Amphibious Potential: Lessons from the Past, Insights for the Future
Researchers analyze the past, present, and future employment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's amphibious forces, highlight ongoing initiatives, and identify several efforts that should be pursued to advance its amphibious capabilities.
Nov 9, 2020
Journal Article
Lessons from Maritime Narcotics Interdiction: Interdiction in the Maritime Source, Transit, and Arrival Zones of the Western Hemisphere
Sharing information with foreign partners and regional, local, and private actors has been proven to be absolutely critical to success in combating any transnational threat and preventing illegal activities from threatening the homeland and allies.
Nov 5, 2020
Report
European Contributions to NATO's Future Combat Airpower
European air forces currently have limited capabilities for defending allies in high-intensity conflict. However, Europe's airpower is trending in the right direction, especially with the introduction of fifth-generation aircraft.
Oct 22, 2020
Report
Russia, NATO, and Black Sea Security
The Black Sea region is a locus of the competition between Russia and the West for the future of Europe. What is Moscow doing to advance its goals there? And how might NATO allies and partners respond?
Oct 5, 2020
Commentary
Russia Is Eyeing the Mediterranean. The U.S. and NATO Must Be Prepared
Russia is seeking more access and freedom of movement in the Mediterranean region, and is bolstering its military footprint to achieve this objective. The United States and NATO could respond by developing a more robust southern strategy, with a reinforced air and naval presence, respectively.
Jun 30, 2020
Report
Military Trends and the Future of Warfare: The Changing Global Environment and Its Implications for the U.S. Air Force
This volume of the Future of Warfare series examines significant factors shaping military trends over the next 10–15 years: changes in the size, quality, and character of military forces available to the United States and its potential adversaries.
May 11, 2020
Report
Geopolitical Trends and the Future of Warfare: The Changing Global Environment and Its Implications for the U.S. Air Force
This volume of the Future of Warfare series explains six trends—U.S. polarization, China's rise, Asia's realignment, a revanchist Russia, upheaval in Europe, and turmoil in the Islamic world—that will drive conflict between now and 2030.
May 11, 2020
Research Brief
Reimagining Conventional Arms Control
For much of the past 30 years, conventional arms control (CAC) has played a historic role in ensuring the security of Europe. But today, the CAC regime is outdated and mostly irrelevant. New approaches to CAC are needed to address the challenges posed by the current security environment.
Apr 29, 2020
Journal Article
Applying Indications and Warning Frameworks to Cyber Incidents
This research proposes a high-level yet practical strategic cyber indications and warning approach that governments, NATO agencies, and the private sector can apply to defend against cyber threats.
Apr 28, 2020
Report
Conventional Arms Control in Europe Needs a New Approach
Conventional arms control (CAC) was a crucial element of the negotiations that ended the Cold War peacefully. Today, however, the CAC regime is outdated and largely irrelevant. What new CAC measures could lower the risk of conflict in Europe?
Apr 27, 2020
Commentary
How Norway's Allies View Its Defense Challenges and Opportunities
Norway's Ministry of Defence will shortly publish its next Long Term Plan, which outlines how the Armed Forces, in tandem with other elements of government and society, can best address the threats to Norway. Other countries can learn from how Norway chooses to tackle emerging challenges, and can benefit from its lessons learned.
Apr 16, 2020
Report
Chasing Multinational Interoperability: Benefits, Objectives, and Strategies
National defense policies have focused on the importance of multinational interoperability to meeting U.S. defense goals. By recounting both their literature review and interviews, the authors describe potential benefits of interoperability.
Apr 8, 2020
Report
Enhancing Security on NATO's Northern Flank: Options for Norway
Norway supports deterrence, crisis management, and security in the High North—which includes the Scandinavian territories and northern Russia. What regional insights can other NATO allies provide to help Norway in its security role?
Mar 25, 2020
Commentary
Russia's Ties with the West Rhyme
With Vladimir Putin seeking constitutional changes that could allow him to stay as president until the 2030s, Russia's strained relations with the West may persist. But if it chooses, Russia can chart a more dynamic future with closer Western ties.
Mar 23, 2020

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RAND Topic:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Topic Synonyms:
NATO;
North Atlantic Alliance;
OTAN

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Karl P. Mueller

Senior Political Scientist

Karl P. Mueller is a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. He specializes in research related to military and national security strategy, particularly coercion, deterrence, and escalation.
Ann Marie Dailey

Policy Researcher

Ann Dailey is a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. She is a geopolitical strategist with expertise in Russia, Europe, and Eurasia. Dailey has developed an extensive knowledge of the political, military, and economic drivers underpinning security over two decades of study and experience…

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