NATO's Changing Strategic Agenda: The Conventional Defence of the Central Front

This text presents an examination of NATO's strategy for the defence of the central front - the concern that has lain at the heart of NATO since its formation 40 years ago. Politically, the central front marked the post-war division of Europe into the two competing blocs; militarily, it has represented the area of greatest force concentration and greatest threat. However, the truisms of the past 40 years no longer appear insurmountable bastions of political and military reality. As NATO's strategic agenda changes, the central front will remain a critical concern, but the traditional questions of nuclear use and conventional inadequacy are likely to be replaced by those of conventional stability and non-offensive defence. Colin McInnes gives full consideration to the structure, strategy and doctrine of the two alliances as they relate to the central front, and possible future alternatives. In particular, he examines the relationship of NATO strategy to conventional force doctrines.