Periphery or Contact Zone?

Geographically exposed and fissured, the flanks of NATO have been regarded as relatively critical areas since the beginning of the Alliance. Some prominent commentators questioned whether it was wise to integrate these areas at all. There was in fact no alternative. For a variety of reasons, it was not feasible to defend the West only at the Central Front. This book analyzes the complex political and military history of NATO’s flanks, the changing relevance of these regions in the Cold War, and new dangers in the post-Cold War era. It takes a multi-perspective approach and applies the latest historiographical methods. Twelve experts highlight multifarious aspects in the member countries, relations and conflicts between them, complicated relations and problems involving the Alliance, and not least the significance of the regions beyond. The time frame was explicitly chosen to cross the dividing line of 1990 in order to shed light on continuities and discontinuities and on the historical background of current political and military crises and conflicts. One major reason for this volume is the fact that NATO – and Germany – will have to deal with risks near the borders of the Alliance in one way or another, no matter whether they involve combat missions or not.