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In his now famous Prague speech last April, United States President Barack Obama endorsed the vision of a world without nuclear weapons. He sent a strong political signal: if repairing the fragile nuclear nonproliferation arrangements required a credible disarmament commitment by the nuclear weapons states, America was willing to lead by example. But setting that example could become much more complex if a whole host of new nuclear states is to be avoided. The American nuclear umbrella is still needed to shelter many nations, preventing them from pursuing their own nuclear paths. Adapted from the source document.

NATO's engagement in Afghanistan has provoked a debate on the future of the alliance. Which steps should Germany undertake in order to exclude the danger of deviating from the NATO mainstream? The multitude of its security political dilemmas notwithstanding, some actions should be taken in order to safeguard the closing of ranks with its main allies. First, Germany's out-of-area engagements should be planned & executed more thoroughly in the future. Second, the Bundeswehr has to continue -- both mentally & materially -- on its path towards becoming a mission-oriented army. Third, the Federal Republic needs a strategic debate on security which really faces up to the landscape of conflicts in the 21st century. Adapted from the source document.

Concerns about nuclear proliferation have led to a new wave of enthusiasm for far-reaching nuclear disarmament schemes. According to their proponents, the United States must take the lead in generating a new global disarmament dynamic, including withdrawing the remaining U.S. tactical nuclear weapons from Europe. Such a step will not spell the end of extended deterrence, yet its drawbacks would far outweigh its gains. While achieving little in terms of relaunching disarmament, it would weaken nuclear sharing as an important achievement of managing alliance security. In an emerging multinuclear strategic environment, maintaining a visible nuclear bond between the United States and its NATO allies is not a Cold War relic, but a sensible and nonprovocative means of both deterrence and nonproliferation. Adapted from the source document.

Afghanistan, the Balkans, missile defense, expansion: construction wherever you look. Today, NATO presents a picture of an alliance that is lacking clarity regarding its raison d'etre. Great strategic concepts cannot be expected from Bucharest. However, something else is crucial: the readiness of NATO member states to face global challenges even if the price is high. Adapted from the source document.