CCC Forum: NATO, Russia and the Iraq Crisis

The Center for Contemporary Conflict convened a forum on 20 February 2003 concerning "NATO, Russia and the Iraq Crisis." The forum featured presentations by three professors in the Department of National Security Affairs as well as by Dr. Greg Perett, Foreign Policy Adviser to the Chief of Naval Operations.

• Professor David Yost presented remarks on "France, NATO, and the Iraq Crisis." Professor Yost reviewed the arguments presented by France against military action against Iraq, including the view that war could increase the threat of Islamic terrorism and destabilize the entire region. In North Atlantic Council deliberations France refused to endorse NATO preparations to defend Turkey on the grounds that the UN Security Council has not explicitly authorized the use of force against Iraq. The other 18 NATO Allies agreed in the Defense Planning Committee on 16 February to initiate the planning and related work concerning deployment of AWACS aircraft, theater missile defenses, and Allied chemical and biological defense capabilities to protect Turkey.
• Professor Hans Peters delivered remarks on "Germany, NATO, and the Iraq Crisis." Professor Peters reviewed Germany's strong support for the war against terrorism since the attacks against America on 11 September 2001 and Berlin's commitment to achieving the disarmament of Iraq through peaceful means.
• Professor Mikhail Tsypkin discussed "Russia, NATO, and the Iraq Crisis." Professor Tsypkin analyzed various factors in Russian decision-making, including concern about WMD proliferants other than Iraq, particularly North Korea; the potential consequences of a U.S.-led intervention in Iraq, including for oil markets; and the implications for the future of Russia's relations with NATO, the European Union, and the United States.
• Dr. Perett offered additional perspectives from a Washington viewpoint.