Paul Ingram, executive director BASIC, Oliver Meier, Daryl G. Kimball, July 18, 2011 BASIC - A group of experts, including former officials from offices of State, Defence and military services, have sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to offer a series of recommendations for the Alliance's Deterrence and Defence Posture Review.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization
c/o Fabrice Pothier, Head of the NATO Policy Planning Unit
Dear Mr. Secretary General:
We are writing to offer several recommendations for NATO's Deterrence and Defense Posture Review (DDPR) that would advance the Alliance's goal of reducing reliance upon nuclear weapons in military strategy and updating the Alliance's mix of capabilities to respond to 21st century challenges.
The DDPR provides NATO with a unique opportunity to strengthen global nonproliferation and disarmament efforts by sending a strong signal that the Alliance is serious about creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. If NATO fails to change its existing nuclear and military posture, it will have missed an important opportunity to strengthen the Alliance and resolve differences over NATO's current nuclear posture that will otherwise undermine Alliance unity in the years to come. It will also undermine member states attempts to strengthen non-proliferation norms in international fora.
Today, NATO's nuclear weapons no longer serve the deterrence or war-fighting role they were intended for during the Cold War. NATO members, along with Russia, share a common interest in preventing proliferation and reducing the risks posed by excess strategic and tactical nuclear weapons stockpiles. Nuclear weapons are useless in dealing with the main challenges facing the alliance, including extremism beyond NATO's borders, terrorism, and cyber threats. The maintenance of obsolete NATO nuclear capabilities diverts resources from investments in more essential capabilities....
I would have liked that the Nuclear Deterrence role of NATO would have been discredited all together. But I understand that that is one step to many to recommend NATO.Ak Malten, Pro Peaceful Energy Use
The complete letter - Toward a Meaningful NATO Deterrence and Defense Posture Review
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