Scientific discourse on NATO's strategic evolution

In: Meždunarodnye processy: žurnal teorii meždunarodnych otnošenij i mirovoj politiki = International trends : journal of theory of international relations and world politics, Band 20, Heft 4, S. 136-156

Abstract

In 2022 it is planned to release a new strategic concept of NATO. Experts and scholars are taking a prominent part in its development. They have a significant impact on the formation of the foreign policy identity of this transnational political space through their place in the construction of the foreign policy identity of states, NATO institutions and related structures. In the research, using the method of discourse analysis, were studied the publications of think tanks affiliated with NATO, the EU, the US, the UK. The researchers' current approaches to the strategic development of the alliance are considered, a comparative analysis is carried out, the established scientific schools – NATO, EU, USA and the UK – are highlighted. It is concluded that the scientific community creates narratives about the past and future of the organization, contributes to determining its place in international relations, its partners and rivals. In turn, NATO's foreign policy identity as a transnational political space transforms the identities of the member states, which leads to the homogeneity of the transatlantic security space, isomorphism between its subjects – states. NATO is perceived by Western experts as a community of democratic states with global ambitions and responsibility in maintaining international security and promoting Western values. The key threats are the policies of Russia and China, technological changes, contradictions within the alliance. At the same time, in each of the schools are researched problems that are relevant to it. The most influential are the schools of NATO and the US. European schools, primarily the EU's, have less influence, which is due to their emphasis on EU defence integration, disagreements within the Union itself, limited results of new defense initiatives after 2016.