Founded in 1954, the WEU soon lapsed into obscurity in the shadow of NATO. In 1984 it was reactivated. The WEU is the only Western European organization mandated to treat security problems outside NATO. This study uses the US Command and General Staff College's Strategic Analysis Model. However, it supplements it in three ways: a historical overview of NATO and Europe between 1945 and 1988; an analysis of the tensions within NATO; and a study of possible strategies of reform of the transatlantic relationship. Among the conclusions drawn from this investigation are: the tensions within NATO result from both American impatience about burden sharing and European frustration about "power sharing"; since 1984 the members of the WEU demonstrated a clear will to develop a real forum of security matters; potentially the members of the WEU can create a powerful basis for a European Pillar within NATO; and integration of Western Europe will not be complete until it has drawn up a common defense policy. The thesis concludes that the WEU is fulfilling its role at present. However, it emphasizes that once all members of the EEC join the organization, the WEU will have outlived its utility as an independent institution.

ADA 212473 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)