15 YEARS OF SLOVENIAN NATO MEMBERSHIP THROUGH THE LENS OF THE CHANGING GLOBAL SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Abstract The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of NATO; furthermore, 2019 also marks 15 years of Slovenian membership of the Alliance. NATO has faced a diverse array of security and political challenges throughout its history, which have guided a constant adaptation of its defence posture and working practices. Since the initial Cold War role of the Alliance the international security environment has changed significantly. The Alliance has been enlarged and strengthened by new members, the strict block divisions between the East and the West have ceased to exist, and the security environment has evolved through new and old security threats. Slovenia became an equal member of the Alliance in 2004, when it took up an important share of responsibility for common security. As a full member of NATO, Slovenia has contributed to and influenced key Alliance decisions. Nevertheless, Slovenia still struggles to fulfil some of the commitments it made, particularly when it comes to defence spending. At the same time we may note that broader security and geopolitical changes have also had a significant impact on the security and defence policy, as well as on the development of national capabilities and defence planning of the Republic of Slovenia. As noted by the authors, in spite of the changes in the international security environment or, even more, particularly because of them, NATO remains perhaps more than ever before the most appropriate framework for the comprehensive defence of the Republic of Slovenia. Key words NATO, Slovenia, defence, security environment, adaptation.