Conventional Forces in the Cold War and Beyond

During the Cold War, conventional forces were the cornerstone of NATO’s defence posture. NATO kept extensive military forces at a high level of readiness to ensure they were able to respond promptly to a surprise attack.

In today’s episode we will discuss what this meant in practice and what it meant to be stationed in a ‘high readiness function.’ Our guests explain, with vivid memories and unique personal experiences.

HOSTS: Dr Stella Adorf, Master Sergeant Alex Burnett, Dr Linda Risso

GUESTS: Colonel Adam Edmunds, Ilay Ferrier, Brigadier General Franz Pfrengle, Diego Ruiz Palmer

SOURCES:

NATO Declassified: The Cold War
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/135945.htm

Financial and Economic Data Relating to NATO Defence. Defence Expenditures of NATO Countries (1949-1971), 8 December 1971
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_65857.htm?selectedLocale=en

Financial and Economic Data Relating to NATO Defence. Defence Expenditures of NATO Countries (1970-1990), 6 December 1990
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_23686.htm?selectedLocale=en

Alliance Defence for the Seventies, 4 December 1970
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_26792.htm?selectedLocale=en

Special Meeting of Foreign and Defence Ministers (The "Double-Track" Decision on Theatre Nuclear Forces), 12 December 1979
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_27040.htm?selectedLocale=en

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