The dramatic changes following the close of the Cold War have generated a serious identity crisis for NATO by introducing new and potentially calamitous variables onto the international scene. While the states from the former Warsaw Pact are seeking NATO membership, the alliance's members face the demanding task of redefining its strategic challenges and formulating appropriate policies and responses for present and future crises.

NATO in the Post-Cold War Era presents a comprehensive investigation into NATO and its diverse problems, providing relevant historical background before analyzing recent conditions and projecting into the future.