NATO: Critically Weak

"It is certain," said Winston Churchill in March 1949, "that Europe would have been Communized long ago . . . but for the deterrent of the atomic bomb in the hands of the United States."

Four years and many committee meetings later, the Churchillian thesis still seems as good as any, to judge by the continuing imbalance between Eastern and Western strength. The lineup:

Troops: 58 Western divisions (27 U.S., British, West European, in the central sector; 31 Greek, Turkish, in the southeast). Maximum strength: 700,000 men. Help in war might also come...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!