NATO’s Enlargement
Enlargement of NATO on its ability to defend NATO member and partner countries
The enlarged NATO has to develop new defense strategies which will incorporate the new member countries as the geographical coverage has also changed due to the increased number of participants. This calls for more resource allocation as well as increased military deployment such that the entire member and partner countries will be defended by the NATO forces. This may affect efficiency of protecting the member and partner countries as the allocation of resources from the NATO headquarters may be revised hence minimal amounts of finances will be issued to member. Lack of adequate sources of resources may in turn affect the preparedness and ability to provide sufficient protection to members (Granville, 1998).
Consequently, enlargement of NATO presents increased security threats as some of the member countries will be in possession of their own threats, in addition to, the long-term security threat against Europe. This means that NATO needs to be keener on the events and threats that are directed to all the members as the frequency of threats may increase considerably (Szayna, United States Air Force and Rand Corporation, 2001).
On the other hand, the ability of NATO to protect its members is after the enlargement may be enhanced as more resources will be donated by the increased number of members. Consequently, there will be combined efforts by the members such that the defense services offered by the agency are made more efficient. Similarly, the cooperation between the different member countries is essential in maintaining sufficient protection at common points such as on shared coastlines and airspace (Szayna, United States Air Force and Rand Corporation, 2001).
The effect of NATOs enlargement on its relationship with Russia
Russia considers itself as a world superpower such that it is able to protect its people and resources without having to engage in organizations which will help in boosting its defense. This is exhibited by the fact that Russia has not lost any war ever since World War II. Over the years, Russian leaders have been rejecting this move as they depict their country as being self-sufficient in terms of defence (Jakobson, 2004).
However, NATO has maintained a rival-like relationship with Russia despite rejection of collaboration. The intentions of NATO towards enlarging its membership is a threat on its own scope as Russia may be subjected to intense humiliation especially when all the European countries join the union(Jakobson, 2004).
Nevertheless, the current enlargement of NATO has been seen as a move by the union to form allies against Russia so as to disengage its defence actions. This has been a controversial issue as most of the European countries have joined NATO hence making Russia a probable target for security threats (Jakobson, 2004).
Consequently, international security may be threatened by consequences of the Soviet Union joining the treaty as the rivalry, between the two major superpowers may result in war. This conflict may endanger the security of almost all the other countries of the world and especially those who are members of NATO due to conflict of interest (Jakobson, 2004).
References
Jakobson, Max. “Finland, NATO, and Russia”. Retrieved on July 21, 2010 from: http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040120IE3 2004
Granville, Johanna “The Current History, vol. 98, no. 627, pp. 165-170.
“The North Atlantic Treaty”. 1999
Szayna, Thomas, S. , United States Air Force and Rand Corporation, NATO enlargement, 001-2015, determinants and implications for defense planning and shaping,. Rand corporation. (2001).
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