Executive Summary
This dissertation examines the United States' continued active membership in NATO after the Cold War, despite its emergence as the sole superpower. It analyzes whether neorealist predictions explain U.S. behavior in the alliance, focusing on NATO expansion and its evolving mission. The study covers U.S. NATO policy from the end of the Cold War through the early George W. Bush presidency.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense and geopolitical analysts as it critically examines the enduring relevance of NATO and U.S. grand strategy through the lens of neorealism, challenging conventional predictions about alliance dissolution post-Cold War. It offers insights into the strategic behavior of a unipolar power within a major security alliance.
Key Takeaways
- Neorealist theory initially predicted NATO's demise after the Cold War, but the alliance persisted and expanded, challenging these assumptions.
- The U.S. maintained active engagement in NATO despite its unipolar status, influencing the alliance's expansion and mission evolution.
- The dissertation investigates U.S. policy in NATO regarding enlargement and changing missions, particularly in the Balkans, from 1989 to the early 2000s.
Strategic Relevance
This analysis is strategically important for understanding the foundational theories of international relations, particularly neorealism, in explaining alliance behavior and the foreign policy of hegemonic powers. It sheds light on the enduring role of NATO and the U.S. commitment to collective security post-Cold War, which continues to shape global security architecture.