ABSTRACT
With the end of the Cold War, NATO has continued to struggle to defi ne its identity and clarify its raison d’être. It has made considerable progress as it broadened its political goals, partly refl ected through enlargement, and it has widened its areas of operation, far beyond its original zone. As the Alliance also sought simultaneously to enhance its cooperation with Russia, the latter has become more assertive just as its transition to democracy has become more uncertain. Yet, all parties have a powerful interest in building and maintaining security. This work attempts to assess the problems and prospects of achieving the right balance for the twenty-fi rst century – one that could allow for these goals to be fulfi lled.
