NATO’s Worrisome Authoritarian Storm Clouds

Abstract

Western leaders portray the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a league of democratic nations as well as a security alliance. Although the organization tolerated illiberal members during the Cold War, it would be more than a little embarrassing to have an outright autocracy emerge in NATO’s ranks today. Yet worrisome manifestations of authoritarianism and intolerance have surfaced in several members. Two NATO countries, Hungary and Turkey, have engaged in repeated autocratic behavior reminiscent of Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia. Such developments provide yet another reason why US policymakers should reconsider America’s continuing role as NATO’s leader.