NATO science programs: origins and influence

From the perspective of a longtime participant in scientific interchange at the international level, this paper explores a dichotomy of viewpoint between political and scientific leaders. The former tend to view science as a ‘natural bridge’ for bringing people and nations together in greater harmony, while scientists themselves more often emphasize material benefits to society. This dichotomy may help to explain why the participation of scientists in international activities is limited to a relatively few individuals and primarily in their own fields of research.