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It is no secret that the events of the summer in Georgia led many non-NATO countries to reassess their positions.
In some countries, such as Finland, the debate over whether to make a move finally to join NATO came out into full public view, with the issue being discussed from editorial columns to coffee bars.
But the ramifications of the summer go much deeper than this. The key issue was that a globalised world means a more interconnected world in every sense. We can't just limit it to more open trade, more flows of information, or easier travel. John Donne's line nearly 400 years ago that 'no man is an island' rings truer today than it has ever done. For those who doubted this, the financial crisis followed closely on the Georgian crisis' heels.
Interlinked challenges required coordinated responses, something that the contributors to this edition highlight in their different countries.
This is where NATO comes in. Whether it be through increased partnerships, new members or even new connections, they all see NATO playing a role.
A more interconnected world means no more hiding places. To paraphrase the last line of Donne's poem: do not ask who the bell is ringing for - it's for you.