This module features teaching notes by CFR former senior fellow for transatlantic relations James M. Goldgeier, author of the Council Special Report The Future of NATO, along with other resources to supplement the text. Dr. Goldgeier discusses the relevance of NATO in a post-cold war world, and how the U.S. can benefit from collective security across the atlantic for the successful outcome of military operations in the Middle East.

Russia's invasion of Georgia has rubbed raw relations with the West, complicating cooperation in several crucial areas.

Russia stirs concern with gestures toward two Georgian breakaway provinces. Moscow’s moves follow Kosovo’s secession and NATO expansion promises.

Pledges of more resources for Afghanistan have buoyed hopes for a rejuvenated NATO mission. Yet concerns persist about the alliance’s viability there.

NATO leaders pitted the credibility of their alliance to the ongoing effort to stabilize Afghanistan at their summit in Riga, but failed to resolve disputes that keep some major member states—including Germany, Italy, Spain, and France—from serious combat duty there.

Leslie H. Gelb says it's good riddance that President Obama's talk of shifting from Europe to Asia faded as the G8 and NATO meetings loomed.

James M. Goldgeier discusses NATO's 60th anniversary.

NATO has been the foundation of transatlantic security for more than sixty years, but despite its longevity, critics question whether the alliance can stay relevant in the face of emerging threats, limited funding, and debates over its mission.

With talk of deploying NATO peacekeepers to patrol the Lebanese border, the alliance is tackling new challenges outside of Europewhile looking to recruit new members. Not everyone, however, supports a larger NATO.

NATO has been a cornerstone of security in Europe--and of U.S. foreign policy--for six decades. But its ability to continue playing such a central role is unclear. James M. Goldgeier takes a sober look at what the alliance and its members must do to maintain NATO's relevance in the face of today's strategic environment.

Pakistan-U.S. ties have rebounded, but domestic turmoil and looming leadership transitions should command U.S. attention on this vital terrorist frontline, writes CFR's Daniel Markey.

The upcoming NATO summit will include talks on the endgame in Afghanistan, a new smart defense doctrine, and bolstering global partnerships, all of it colored by fundamental questions about the role and mission of the alliance, says CFR's Stewart Patrick.

As NATO's mission continues to redefine itself, four experts discuss what the alliance can do to remain relevant as a force for international peace and security.

NATO members preparing for a new "strategic concept" to be issued at the November summit will have to both hash out serious differences about how NATO forces should be deployed and determine how best to gain Russia's cooperation, says William Drozdiak.

NATO's European members are more worried about a reassertive Russia than the threat posed by Afghanistan, says expert Robert E. Hunter. This has become the basis for an "unspoken bargain" on supporting the Afghan war effort, he says.

This Congressional Research Service report explains the issues to be covered at the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago, where talks about Afghanistan, "smart defense," and partnerships with non-NATO members are supposed to dominate.

In this Policy Outlook piece for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges Jamie Shea discusses the role of NATO in times of austerity and how it can meet the challenges that lie ahead.

NATO talks a big game when it comes to global security, but its ability to affect war and peace outside of Europe is limited, writes Joshua Foust for Need to Know on PBS.

The purpose of this study is therefore to assess current thinking in NATO as it begins the development of the new Concept on the role of nuclear weapons, and the related questions of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation.