ABSTRACT
This chapter establishes a factual groundwork for a discussion on conventional forces in Europe. The document Declaration on Conventional Arms Control, as well as the communique from the meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) foreign ministers in Brussels in December 1988 are characterized as documents issued in the spirit of the policy of the new thoughts. The chapter is intended to give a picture of the situation with regard to conventional arms in Europe. However, it seems appropriate to offer some judgements along lines of what, inspired by US Senator Carl Levin, could be called beyond the “bean count.” The chapter addresses the question of military doctrines starting with NATO’s doctrine of flexible response and forward defense based on a determination not to give up territory. NATO rules of engagements for military commanders fully underline the basic nonoffensive defensive doctrine.
