ABSTRACT
In Russia, NATO expansion, which continues to be opposed across the entire political spectrum, will strengthen the non-democratic opposition, undercut those who favor reform and cooperation with the West, bring the Russians to question the entire post-Cold War settlement, and galvanize resistance in the Duma to the START II and III treaties; In Europe, NATO expansion will draw a new line of division between the 'ins' and the 'outs', foster instability, and ultimately diminish the sense of security of those countries which are not included;
In NATO, expansion, which the Alliance has indicated is openended, will inevitably degrade NATO's ability to carry out its primary mission and will involve US security guarantees to countries with serious border and national minority problems, and unevenly developed systems of democratic government; In the US, NATO expansion will trigger an extended debate over its indeterminate, but certainly high, cost and will call into question the US commitment to the Alliance, traditionally and rightly regarded as a centerpiece of US foreign policy.
