Transformation of Transatlantic Cooperation: the Approach of the USA and Germany to Unity in NATO (1981)

Abstract

West German diplomatic documents related to relations between the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1981 are analyzed. This year, as usual, the new US administration launched an assessment of US foreign and security policy. The focus of the article's analysis is the two countries' approach to unity in NATO. The topicality of the problem is beyond doubt, especially given the frequently voiced and completely "unexpected" unity of the alliance for potential opponents at the current stage of NATO transformation and in the Ukrainian crisis. Within the framework of historical-politological methodology, the author managed to present a general overview of NATO unity, to examine the nature of mutual pressure in the alliance and the content of common compromises. Connections between the compromises reached and the process of unity formation were shown. The problem was also examined, which influence on the unity and unity in NATO the striving for an optimal level of equality for the FRG has. The author was able to shed light on the role of the American framework demands against the Allies. The scientific meaning of the article consists in 12 hypotheses and 6 new problems, the in-depth analysis of which is still to come. The practical meaning of the article is represented by 7 recommendations that can affect the unity and unity of NATO. The article has a discussion character.