NATO and the New Threats, Winter 2002

During the Cold War Turkey played a vital role, as part of the NATO Alliance, in defending southern Europe. Cold war days are happily over, but not the challenges to the security. Terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction are the major new threats. Over time terrorists have gone global, have become more radical and their acts are becoming increasingly leathal. NATO is getting increasingly ready to play a role in combatting terrorism. The strategic significance of this move can not be underestimated. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction including chemical, biological and nuclear weapons is the other major threat. At its Prague Summit the Alliance took a number of decisions to cope with this threat. Throughout NATO’s history Turkey has not been a country consuming security, but has been one that produce security. As always, Turkey is at the epicenter of changes and shaping the changes for the better...Please click here to read the text in full.