NATO Looks East

The writers examine how the eastward movement of NATO has led to a new organization. As they point out, the process was underway by the time the Soviet Union collapsed. Issues of western financial constraint, the Gulf War, events in the former Yugoslavia, and changing configurations of the major NATO partners led the way. In addition, the essays examine the potential effects of the incorporation of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary as well as the more distant, but still conceivable inclusion of the Baltic states, Ukraine, and others and special arrangements with Russia.

NATO is leading the way in creating a new security architecture for Europe and its look East policy is the most important part of the change. As the essays indicate, NATO's transformation leaves many questions for the future. Despite the new Russian-NATO agreement, what reactions will take place in Rusian domestic politics? What will happen in the ratification process throughout the extant member states? Can all 16 states come to a unanimous agreement? And lastly what will be the consequences for Eastern Europe: including the new members of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, and possibly and more importantly, those states inside the former communist empire which are not admitted as members in the first round of expansion? This is an important study for scholars, researchers, and policy makers involved with Eastern Europe and NATO.

PIOTR DUTKIEWICZ is Professor of Political Science at Carleton University, Ottowa. His earlier publications include Ukraine in Transition.

ROBERT J. JACKSON is Professor of Political Science at the University of Redlands. His earlier publications include Europe in Transition (Praeger, 1992).