NATO: Powers and People in the Transatlantic Alliance

Obsolete, brain dead, a failure in Afghanistan - NATO has never had to deal with such massive criticism. The timing is anything but good: in the new world disorder, Russia and China are challenging the West, international terrorism is on the rise, while democracy is in retreat around the world. Even in member states of the transatlantic alliance, the seductive lure of authoritarianism is increasing. Nevertheless, there is no reason to fear that NATO's success story has come to an end. NATO is not some old-fashioned military alliance that crumbles when member states' interests diverge. Rather, it is a political alliance in which sovereign states further develop their national interests into an overarching alliance interest. Its democratic values, the obligation to reach a consensus as well as its design as a marketplace where diplomats, civil servants and soldiers constantly exchange information in formal and informal discussion formats help here. This is the unique strength of NATO, which should be used more in the future. In the last chapters of his book, the author addresses the people in NATO and in the ministries of the member states. Regardless of whether they belong to the top management or work in the engine room - they make the difference. Given the re-nationalization tendencies, their task is not easy. They need role models, freedom to think and act, and comprehensive education.