{
  "id": "R42529",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R42529",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 408375,
      "date": "2012-05-14",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T00:07:21.107715",
      "title": "NATO\u2019s Chicago Summit",
      "summary": "NATO\u2019s 2012 summit of alliance heads of state and government is scheduled to take place in Chicago on May 20-21. U.S. and NATO officials have outlined what they expect to be the Summit\u2019s three main agenda items: \nDefining the next phase of formal transition in Afghanistan and shaping a longer term NATO commitment to the country after the planned end of combat operations by the end of 2014; \nSecuring commitments to maintain and develop the military capabilities necessary to meet NATO\u2019s defense and security goals, including through a new \u201cSmart Defense\u201d initiative; and \nEnhancing NATO\u2019s partnerships with non-NATO member states. \nAlthough NATO is not expected to issue membership invitations to any of the four countries currently seeking NATO membership, it could reaffirm their commitment to do so in the future. \nCongress has played an important role in guiding U.S. policy toward NATO and shaping NATO\u2019s post-Cold War evolution. Members of the 112th Congress have expressed interest in each of the key agenda items to be discussed in Chicago. For example, proposed companion legislation in the House and Senate\u2014The NATO Enhancement Act of 2012 (S. 2177 and H.R. 4243)\u2014endorses NATO enlargement to the Balkans and Georgia, reaffirms NATO\u2019s role as a nuclear alliance, and calls on the U.S. Administration to seek further allied contributions to a NATO territorial missile defense system, and to urge NATO allies to develop critical military capabilities. \nIn the run-up to and aftermath of the Chicago Summit, Congress may consider a range of issues relating to NATO\u2019s current operations and activities and its longer term mission. These include questions pertaining to: \nNATO\u2019s commitment to Afghanistan, both during the ongoing transition away from a primary emphasis on combat and after the transition;\nAllied conventional military capabilities and burden-sharing within the alliance;\nFuture NATO operations and allied military readiness;\nNATO\u2019s future as a nuclear alliance;\nNATO\u2019s relations with non-NATO member states and multilateral organizations; and\nProspects and conditions for future NATO enlargement.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}