The 'unipolar moment' of the post-Cold War era has led to misguided notions about the nature of military power, writes Lee Slusher

Lee Slusher : The “unipolar moment” of the post-Cold War period has led to misguided notions about the nature of military power.

Most militaries exist to provide the latter, i.e., the means by which to protect their nations from threats in their respective regions.

He says the US military primacy of recent decades , specifically the ability to wage and sustain war in far-flung locations, has become to many.

NATO evangelists' belief system rests on Tomahawk cruise missiles, says Peter Bergen .

Bergen : Russia 's Oreshnik missile could be checkmate, at least in terms of a conventional war.

He says NATO 's hopes appear to be pinned on the F-35 , which could be catastrophic defeat.

Most Western militaries possess combat power similar to or only marginally greater than that of gendarmeries.

As such, their suitability for foreign deployment is limited to peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid.

NATO has opted for small, infrequent exercises, often involving only command elements or limited operational forces.