ABSTRACT
The passing of "the dangerous decade of the 1980s" elevates the impact and importance of economic power, many believe at the expense of military prowess. The continual emphasis on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization goals of military rationalization, standardization and integration has had its effect. Countervailing pressures to the general withdrawal of United States forces from overseas also exist. Since tactical nuclear weapons represent to many Europeans the most threatening and tangible aspect of Cold War attitudes, their future status has become subject to critical scrutiny. The combined effect of major reductions in United States (US) military forces in Europe and a continuing worldwide role for significant US military forces is to generate the need for a new national security policy. The Soviet Union is experiencing severe political and economic instability, aggravated by ethnic unrest and some republics seeking secession, as well as other tensions.
