From Ian Brzezinski & Damon Wilson, the New Atlanticist:  When NATO leaders convene in Lisbon in November to adopt a new Strategic Concept, the alliance’s blueprint for the future, they will find that trans-Atlantic security has entered an age of austerity. Burdened by weakened economies, allied governments are cutting their defense budgets, some significantly. However, retrenchment and reduced ambitions are not NATO’s only options. …

Budget cuts have forced some allies to withdraw from multinational programs, including NATO’s UAV program and the Joint Strike Fighter. Pressure to withdraw or reduce forces in Afghanistan will increasingly reflect the financial costs of global operations. …

Hard economic times are prompting some European defense firms and governments to close deals that are not in the alliance’s best interests. France’s efforts, led by President Nicolas Sarkozy, to sell its versatile Mistral-class helicopter carrier to Russia could well be the first case. A Europe facing job losses could seek to open new defense markets, including those in Russia and China.

If Europe is viewed as less able and willing to stand with the U.S. in confronting global challenges — or even undercutting U.S. security by selling potential adversaries defense equipment — skepticism in the American polity toward the trans-Atlantic security relationship will grow. This perception could catalyze protectionist instincts on Capitol Hill, torpedoing the Obama administration’s efforts to reform export control laws, a key step to ward a more modern, integrated trans-Atlantic defense market. …

A new Strategic Concept will be meaningless if the alliance allows its financial strains to undercut co operation, cripple capabilities and undermine solidarity with international arms sales. The summit’s success will be determined by how NATO leaders harness budgetary austerity to reinforce unity, drive forward collaboration and deliver military effectiveness. Only then will NATO’s new concept have real strategic substance.

Ian Brzezinski is a Senior Fellow in the International Security Program and is on the Council’s  Strategic Advisors Group (SAG). Damon Wilson is vice president and director of the International Security Program. This article originally appeared in DefenseNews.

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