"If It's Not Terrorism, It's Not Relevant": Evaluating NATO's Potential to Contribute to the Campaign Against Terrorism

Abstract

In response to the increasing threat posed by transnational terrorism NATO is expanding its role in the realm of counterterrorism. Is NATO’s emerging role in this area desirable, or is it merely the outcome of an institutional incentive to ensure the organizations survival? In order to answer this question the following is an assessment of the ability of NATO to contribute to the international campaign against terrorism. The first section outlines a number of contributions NATO could make in the campaign against terrorism. These contributions are divided into four main realms: diplomacy, military operations, intelligence-sharing, and defence cooperation. The second section outlines the two principal challenges facing NATO if it continues to develop a role in counterterrorism, a trend that by all appearances seems destined to continue. The conclusion summarizes briefly and presents a set of specific policy recommendations aimed at adapting the alliance for a counterterrorism role. The paper closes with a few comments on the prospects for a significant NATO role in the campaign against terrorism.