Homework 12

Sophio Roshniashvili

U.S. foreign policy toward the NATO and Europe

NATO's fundamental and permanent goal is to protect the freedom and security of all its members by
political and military means. Collective defense is central to the Alliance, and it fosters a sense of unity
and cohesiveness among its members. NATO strives to secure a lasting peace in Europe, based on
common values of individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Since the outbreak of
crises and conflicts beyond Allied borders can jeopardise this objective, the Alliance also contributes to
peace and stability through crisis prevention and management, and partnerships. Essentially, NATO not
only helps to defend the territory of its members, but also engages where possible and when necessary
to project its values further afield, prevent and manage crises, stabilise post-conflict situations and
support reconstruction. NATO also represents the transatlantic connection, via which North America's
security is linked to Europe's. It is an international organization that provides a venue for members to
consult on any topic they choose to raise, as well as make choices on political and military issues
impacting their security. No one member country is obliged to depend only on its national capabilities to
achieve critical national security goals. The consequent sense of shared security among members adds
to Euro-Atlantic stability. The Washington Treaty outlines NATO's primary security responsibilities. They
are broad enough to stand the test of time and are expanded upon in the Organization's strategic
conceptions. Strategic ideas are the official expression of the Alliance's objectives: they give the highest
degree of direction on the political and military methods to attain these goals and serve as the
foundation for the whole implementation of Alliance policy.