10.11.09
The revival of Atlanticism in NATO? Changing security identities in Britain, Norway and Denmark
NUPI Report | Oslo, NUPI | 58 pages
In this report Nina Græger and Kristin M. Haugevik argue that despite major changes in the transatlantic security landscape, “Atlanticism” has survived as a particular national security orientation on the European political arena and inside NATO.
>> Summary
In this report, we argue that despite major changes in the transatlantic security landscape, “Atlanticism” has survived as a particular national security orientation on the European political arena and inside NATO. At the same time, we observe, the content and implications of Atlanticism seem to have changed. We substantiate this claim trough an analysis of the security discourse and practices of three long-term European NATO-members: Britain, Norway and Denmark. While geographical location, historical bonds with the United States and Euro-scepticism constituted key indicators of these countries’ Atlanticist orientation in the Cold War era, their present-day Atlanticism rather seems to be characterised by their readiness to cooperate with the United States, and to commit troops and equipment to US-led and NATO-led operations. Based on this revised definition of Atlanticism, we argue that all our three countries have remained steady in their orientation as “Atlanticists first”. At the same time, we note that the new US government and the growing tensions between Russia and the West are factors that might reinforce also the traditional geopolitical and historical aspects of Atlanticism, both inside NATO and as part of individual European member states’ security identities. The discussions concerning “core tasks and areas” in relation to NATO’s new strategic concept could be seen as an indication of such a tendency.
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