Reconfiguring NATO for Future Security Challenges

The Prague Defense Capabilities Strategy is invigorating the relevance of NATO by improving capabilities, streamlining the command structure, and establishing the NATO Response Force. Even though the latter two initiatives are progressing well, the issue of capabilities could become the Achilles Heel of the NATO Alliance unless a corrective course is made. Generally, European states show little inclination to improve their military capabilities for the betterment of the Alliance, and the European Union Rapid Reaction Force is well on its way to becoming a white elephant for European security and defense policy, as well as a Trojan horse for NATO. On the other hand, NATO's streamlining of its military structure and the establishment of a response force provide the Alliance with a veritable expeditionary capability. These reforms place NATO on the cusp of equality with the United States as a security partner, but under its current military structure, the issue of capabilities will keep it from crossing the final hurdle. A fundamental overhaul of NATO's military structure is called for. Under the aegis of collective contributions for collective defense, downsizing the Alliance to nine integrated multinational divisions, each located in a division-sized base, would permit greater interoperability and burden sharing among NATO members as well as realize tremendous cost savings. Each member would contribute military forces according to its size and relative wealth rather than maintaining a standing army for potential crises. In the end, NATO would be able to enjoy a collective defense dividend that has eluded it for centuries, while making a significant contribution to global security.