NATO's New Strategic Concept By James Gow James Gow will be presenting his ideas on NATO at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars on March 10 and March 31 . The concept of Stratified Stability defines the role of defense as assisting in the management of stability.
Defense is defense against instability.
The changed nature of the Alliance. Maintenance of the irreplaceable link forged between the US and Europe over fifty years by taking account of the needs and prospects of each side of the Euro-Atlantic partnership, in face of an Alliance transformed and an international environment recast. This role is essential in maintaining the international stability that is literally a vital interest of the United States, its partners and Allies if they are to protect their prosperity, values and national livelihood. To provide both the US and its European partners and allies with an organizing principle that will permit use of NATO assets by some of its members, without requiring participation by all of them. This will permit flexible use of Alliance assets.