NATO Enlargement

Publication Date: May 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

This report provides a brief summary of the last round of NATO enlargement. The report analyzes the key military and political issues in the debate over seven prospective members named at NATO's Prague summit. It then provides an overview of the positions of the allies and of Russia on enlargement, citing the effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States. It concludes with a discussion of recent legislation on enlargement. This report will be updated as needed. See also CRS Report RS21354, The NATO Summit at Prague, 2002, CRS Report RL30168, NATO Applicant States: A Status Report, and CRS Report RS21510, NATO's Decision-Making Procedure.