Reconfiguring the American Military Presence in Europe

What does NATO bring to U.S. national security in practical terms? This rhetorical question seeks not so much to provoke debate than to invoke NATO's potential. In the post-Cold War era, especially during the war on terrorism, NATO's raison d'etre must expand beyond securing the immediate borders of member states. In this monograph, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Millen examines America's choices regarding the basing of ground troops in Europe. He considers three major options available to the United States-complete withdrawal, annual rotations, and restructuring the Alliance to accommodate a smaller U.S. presence. While weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, he does not lose sight of the ultimate objective of NATO-to provide credible land power for the full spectrum of operations.