Issue Position: National Security - NATO
Issue Position
Issue Position: National Security - NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a pillar of trans-Atlantic collaboration, continues to transform itself to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
This ongoing transformation is demonstrated by the range of missions NATO has undertaken outside its borders to promote peace and stability where needed to defend the Alliance's security and values. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supports the government of Afghanistan and provides security throughout the whole of Afghanistan. NATO is providing valuable training for Iraqi security forces, including staff officer training inside Iraq. The Alliance continues to lead a multinational peacekeeping operation in Kosovo, providing the necessary stability for the political process to go forward. Since September 11, 2001, NATO has also taken steps, including improved intelligence sharing, to enhance its contribution to the fight against terrorism.
NATO is also transforming its military capabilities to carry out these missions. The 25,000-strong expeditionary NATO Response Force, became fully operational in October 2006.
Senator Levin continues to advocate the importance of the NATO alliance and close trans-Atlantic relations for U.S. security. He recognizes the importance of NATO's continuing political and military transformation. He strongly supported the previous rounds of NATO enlargement, first in 1998 when Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary were added, and then in April 2004, when NATO completed its second major round of enlargement, welcoming seven new Alliance members - Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. He believes that NATO's door should remain open to considering additional members who have achieved necessary reforms. Senator Levin also recognizes the significant role played by NATO's relationships with Russia and Ukraine, as well as its partnerships with numerous other countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Senator Levin regularly meets with NATO's military and civilian leadership and has visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels on a number of occasions. He has urged NATO to expand its peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, its training of Iraqi security forces, and its support for ending the violence in Darfur.
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