James J. Townsend Jr.: ’’Romania is always the first to raise its hand, to show that is a producer of security, not just a consumer of security’’

Abstract

This article delves into an interview with James J. Townsend Jr., Senior Advisor in the Scowcroft Center’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, who highlights his experiences and insights on NATO enlargement, U.S. foreign policy and the evolving security dynamics in Europe. Townsend reflects on the challenges and complexities of NATO's eastward expansion during the Clinton Administration, marking the difficult decision-making process in selecting countries like Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic for initial membership. However, he emphasizes the significant contributions of Central and Eastern European nations, particularly Romania, to NATO’s operations, including in Afghanistan and in response to Russia’s aggression. Moreover, he touches on the potential impact of U.S. presidential elections on NATO, the prospects of Ukraine’s future NATO membership and the importance of strengthening military capabilities to deter Russian threats.