ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the role of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in future operations against global terrorist networks. It concentrates on the issues involved in deepening and widening the Alliance. The chapter also explores the growing relationship between NATO and the European Union (EU), especially as the Union endeavors to develop its own autonomous military capabilities. It then argues that the attacks on 11 September 2001 confirmed the need for a recalculation of national security policy. The attacks demonstrated that the geographic isolation of the United States no longer served as its main protection from attack. However, the record of the Alliance demonstrated the utility of cooperation and collaboration in defense matters. Although the changed security environment has reduced the need for large conventional armies, it has confirmed the need for specialized military units and increased intelligence assets. It has also affirmed the importance of shared assets.
