Tempting Target

In: The world today, Band 60, Heft 5, S. 13-14

Abstract

An examination of increased demands on NATO for help in the post-September 11 (2001) world focuses on Greece's request for NATO assistance with security during the Olympics. It is maintained that Greek authorities will have to be very explicit about how they expect NATO to help with policing & how such assistance will be coordinated with the local police. It is suggested that NATO may be best used as an air & maritime monitoring force as well as for emergency response should a terrorist attack occur. Although all NATO members feel at risk from terrorist attacks, countering a nonstate enemy is a much greater challenge than dealing with aggression by another state. NATO is structured around military defense but the new threats require police work, multination intelligence, & the involvement of trade, finance, & development agencies. Therefore, it is concluded that NATO's role as a counterterrorism force is limited, & the Greek government should also ask the European Union to help provide security during the Olympic Games. J. Lindroth