The Future Of Nato Expansion

The book discusses the process of NATO enlargement and how four East-Central European countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia) attempted to join the alliance in the early 2000s. The author argues that these countries were not ready for membership and that NATO should have waited until they were more prepared.

In 1999 three East-Central European states (Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic) gained membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Professor Barany argues that, once it began, the Alliance should continue the enlargement process. Nevertheless he maintains that only states that satisfy NATO's membership criteria should be allowed to join. Through an extensive analysis of four countries, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia who, at the time of the book's original publication in 2003 were NATO aspirants, Barany demonstrates that they were in several important respects unprepared for membership and that there was no pressing reason for NATO's haste. Barany argues that while NATO should be clear that its doors remain open to qualified candidates, the Alliance should hold off further expansion until prospective members will become assets rather than liabilities. Review: 'Barany's examination of the road to membership for Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia in NATO as well as his assessment of their NATO-readiness is groundbreaking. His work will (hopefully) go a long way towards avoiding future problems resulting from the first post-Communist round of enlargement.' Journal of European Affairs 'Barany clearly has excellent contacts in the establishments of these states, excellent language skills, and an ability to search out telling documents. The material gathered is outstanding in this sub-field of NATO enlargement studies.' Stuart Croft, SEER