Publication

This paper examines the UK’s existing security alignments, particularly its role in NATO, and how Jeremy Corbyn's election as the leader of the country’s Labour Party may rekindle public interest in this largely neglected topic. More specifically, the paper's author considers 1) what impact Corbyn's election is likely to have on Labour Party and UK defense policy, to include the country's membership in NATO; 2) NATO’s perception of its own successes; 3) the Alliance's long-standing policy of admitting former Soviet states into its membership rolls, despite Russia’s persistent opposition; 4) the questions that exist over the current utility of NATO; 5) the Alliance’s never-ending quest to have its members spend 2% of their GDP on their militaries; and 6) what would happen if NATO did not exist and what institutions could replace it.