NATO's future conventional defense strategy in Central Europe
Subtitle: theater employment doctrine for the post-Cold War era
By: Richard L. Kugler.
Contributors: Rand Corporation.; United States. Army.
Publisher: Rand; UNKNO
Published: 1991
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 220
Subjects: North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- Armed Forces.; Military doctrine -- Europe.; Military doctrine -- North America.; Europe, Central -- Defenses.
Description: This report provides a political-military analysis for thinking about how NATO's conventional defense strategy can be adjusted to contribute to stability in Central Europe in the coming post-Cold War era. The report (which was assembled in early 1991) concludes that NATO will need to employ a new "theater employment doctrine"--The way NATO uses military force on the battlefield to attain its goals--one that defends further eastward and more flexibly than linear defense contemplated. All viable alternatives for such a doctrine will require NATO to uproot long-established defense practices. Changes will have to be made not only in NATO's force posture, but also in how coalition defense is conducted. Having a concerted planning effort that forges a coherent relationship among NATO's future defense strategy, employment doctrine, and force posture can ensure these changes are well-managed, thus leaving NATO with a viable conventional defense strategy even if forces are smaller than they are now.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 217-220).
"Prepared for the United States Army."
"R-4084-A."