Evaluation of the Defensive Dimension of Transatlantic Relations

With the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in April 1949, an alliance of independent states emerged. The common purpose of the alliance is to maintain peace, to protect liberties through political consultation, to deter any attacks on the participating states and to provide necessary military defense as proof of its deterrence. In addition, North Atlantic Treaty, hereafter NATO, has also committed to protecting international peace and security that are now one of the main objectives of the organization. The purpose of this study is to find out the nature of transatlantic alliance by analyzing fundamental dynamics of NATO, which was established as the military wing of the Western bloc in the era of the post-World War II. First of all, the answer will be sought in the question of “how do American and European decision-makers define the defensive dimension of relations”? Before answering this type of questions, it is revealed how Americans and European decision-makers perceive the alliance. In addition, the depth of the defense dimension of the alliance will be examined and the functions of NATO will be addressed. In this context, it is necessary to say that American and European decision-makers have predominantly paid attention to the defensive dimension of the alliance