Soldiers and statesmen
Subtitle: civil military case studies of the NATO decision-making process
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 111
Description: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was organized on a two-track structure. The military part of the Alliance was to be involved in immediate military planning for the defense of the Alliance. The NATO civilian part was to provide objectives and political coordination for the military planners. It turned out that NATO military officials achieved relatively independent positions from their civilian superiors and were able to influence political debate not only on the basis of military expertise, but also based on their own political assessment. General Lauris Norstad, who assumed the position of SACEUR in 1956, exercised a great deal of independence from his civilian superiors. During his tenure, Norstad was involved in a debate over NATO nuclear structure. He also influenced several decisions regarding the change in the NATO strategic concept.  After France's departure from the NATO military structure, the Alliance adjusted its structures and created the International Military Staff. This institution proved to be very successful in influencing the NATO debate in the late 1980s. Both cases prove that the NATO military component is deeply involved in the political decision-making process.
Notes: Thesis advisors, Donald Abenheim, Richard Hoffman.

"June 1998."

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-109).

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

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Approved for public release, distribution unlimited.

Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Civilian) author.

dk/dk cc:9116 09/30/98