NATO will emerge as a fundamentally different organization if it navigates through an Iran conflict without full American participation, according to William A. Owens, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Barry W. Poulson, a professor emeritus at the University of Colorado. The two defense analysts contend that the alliance's structure and operational capacity depend heavily on the level of U.S. commitment going forward.
The commentary, written for InsideSources.com, frames NATO's survival not as a question of whether the alliance persists, but rather what form it will take. Owens and Poulson suggest that the alliance must prepare for scenarios in which American military and political support may be less comprehensive than it has been historically.
Both authors bring substantial credentials to their analysis. Owens held one of the highest-ranking positions within the American military establishment, while Poulson brings academic expertise in international relations and strategic studies. Together, they serve as board members of the Prosperity for US Foundation.
Their argument appears to reflect broader concerns about the durability of transatlantic security arrangements amid shifting geopolitical priorities and debates over burden-sharing among member states. The piece does not detail specific policy recommendations but instead emphasizes the need for NATO to contemplate restructuring as a matter of strategic necessity rather than preference.
