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Behavioral Choice Of America's NATO Allies In Overseas Military Operations (1991-2019)

Posted on:2021-05-23Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:B WeiFull Text:PDF
GTID:2416330611494893Subject:International relations
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Since the end of the Cold War,the United States has launched several overseas military operations by forming coalitions.According to the traditional alliance theory,the leading states in asymmetric alliances protect security of the member states,the member states should support the military actions taken by the leading states in exchange.However,NATO states have taken different actions towards U.S-led Coalitions.Some have actively participated and made important contributions to the victory of operations;some have also participated,but their contributions have not met the expectations of the United States;the others have refused to participate.As core allies of the United States,based on which logic is the NATO states' behavioral choice for overseas military operations initiated by the United States?Through theoretical analysis,this article supposes that national security and pursuit of status are the main reasons for NATO states to decide whether to participate in coalitions.The pursuit of status includes international status and reliable ally status,International status comes into effect through the legitimacy of operation and national influence.The trade-off between the two statuses is determined by the national strategic tradition and whether there is a short-term demand for the United States.When the coalition operations help maintain national security and enhance international and ally status,NATO states will choose to participate and make a positive contribution.When the operation is not conducive to maintaining national security and enhancing its status,NATO states will choose not to participate.When the goals of national security and pursuit of status are in conflict,the personal perception of the leader will determine which one to prioritize.At the same time,domestic political factors will have a certain impact on states' decision-making processes and contributions,mainly manifested by the restrictive role of public opinion and parliamentary.This article takes the participation of Germany,France,and Turkey in the Gulf War,Iraq War,and Libya War as cases.In the Gulf War,the coalition operation was authorized by the United Nations.Germany chose to participate in the operation based on the consideration of the reliable ally status and national security,but the constraint of domestic factors prevented it from making important contributions.Although France was facing economic losses,its leader choose to participate in operation in order to enhance international status.Turkey chose to participate under the influence of the dual factors of national security and ally status,but the domestic factors reduced its contribution to a certain extent.During the Iraq war,coalition operation was not authorized.Germany and France,as world great powers,refused to participate in order to maintain their international status and take the responsibilities of great powers.The anti-war sentiments of their people further consolidated the policy positions of the two countries.The Turkish government opposed war because of national security,but parliament advocated supporting US actions,and Turkey had ultimately made a limited contribution under compromise between the two sides.Although the coalition operation was authorized in the Libyan war,the specific operation exceeded the scope of the authorization,causing some states' doubts.Germany refused to participate in operation in order to avoid weakening international status,its people also opposed military intervention.France actively participated in operation under the dual impetus of national security and international status.In the case of conflicting goals of national security and status,Turkey finally chose to participate in the operation,but only provided limited help.In general,the results of the cases analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical framework,but there are still some problems,including whether the case selection is general,how to eliminate alternative interpretations,and whether the theoretical framework is universal,etc.Following researches need to explain these questions further.
Keywords/Search Tags:Coalition, National Security, Pursuit of Status, Domestic Politics, NATO
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