Changes in domestic economic and political conditions, together with a loss of confidence in the United States leadership produced serious problems within the Atlantic Alliance. The Internal Fabric of Western Security (first published in 1981) examines the effects of domestic change upon perceived security requirements and explores ways to deal with the problems that developed.

Beginning with an examination of Allied and European relations, the book outlines external challenges to security that the Alliance faces in the 1980s and discusses internal problems that affect member nations' ability to deal with them. Country studies of the four largest European members of the Alliance systematically examine domestic constraints on security policy and assess probable approaches for the 1980s. A more general analysis is offered on how this situation affects the Allies' ability to work together in dealing with their common security problems. The need to integrate economic and military requirements is also discussed.