CIAO DATE: 12/2011
November 2011
Danish Institute for International Studies
Trine Flockhart argues that although the Review ought to undertake a thorough and open discussion leading to a defence and deterrence posture more in line with the security environment of the 21st century, many features of NATO’s cold war nuclear posture are likely to remain in place. It is especially the issue about the fate of the remaining American Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons based in Europe that is a difficult issue for the Alliance – not because of any particular military value of these weapons, but SOLELY because of their deeply symbolic value and the belief that Alliance cohesion is ensured through nuclear sharing.
Resource link: Waking the Nuclear Dragon? NATO's Defence and Deterrence Posture Review [PDF] - 109K