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[[Image:NATO1.gif‎|thumb|300px| NATO committee.]]

[[Image:NATO1.gif‎|thumb|300px| NATO committee.]]

The '''North Atlantic Treaty Organization''' (NATO) is a military alliance of 28 nations, founded in 1949 to combat the spread of [[communism]] from Eastern Europe and the [[Soviet Union]].  Its current secretary is [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]] of the [[Netherlands]].  

The '''North Atlantic Treaty Organization''' (NATO) is a military alliance of 28 nations, founded in 1949 to combat the spread of [[communism]] from [[Central Europe]] and the [[Soviet Union]].  Its current secretary is [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]] of the [[Netherlands]].  

Since the fall of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, NATO has departed immensely from its original purpose.

Since the fall of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, NATO has departed immensely from its original purpose.

=== Beginning ===

=== Beginning ===

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established shortly after [[World War II]] in 1949. The original members consisted of ten Western European countries, the [[United States]], and [[Canada]]. These countries formed the alliance to further the goal of security in the North Atlantic region, and they did this by ingraining the principal that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all.  Therefore, all would respond with support to the attacked nation. In 1952 NATO began its first round of enlargement of the early alliances history, letting in [[Turkey]].

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established shortly after [[World War II]] in 1949. The original members consisted of ten European countries, the [[United States]], and [[Canada]]. These countries formed the alliance to further the goal of security in the North Atlantic region, and they did this by ingraining the principal that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all.  Therefore, all would respond with support to the attacked nation. In 1952 NATO began its first round of enlargement of the early alliances history, letting in [[Turkey]].

=== Cold War ===

=== Cold War ===

NATO acceptance of Western [[Europe]]an countries in 1955 led Soviet Russia to set up a counter organization, The [[Warsaw Treaty Organization]] (or Warsaw Pact). Common defense, the ongoing MAD strategy, and economic crisis led the [[Soviet Union]] and the Warsaw Pact to its demise. NATO’s transatlantic relations and prevention were key to the end of the [[Cold War]], and the beginning of a interlinking of United States and European policies, which still remains to this day.

NATO acceptance of [[Europe]]an countries in 1955 led Soviet Russia to set up a counter organization, The [[Warsaw Treaty Organization]] (or Warsaw Pact). Common defense, the ongoing MAD strategy, and economic crisis led the [[Soviet Union]] and the Warsaw Pact to its demise. NATO’s transatlantic relations and prevention were key to the end of the [[Cold War]], and the beginning of a interlinking of United States and European policies, which still remains to this day.

=== Kosovo ===

=== Kosovo ===

=== Further Expansion and Russian Relations ===

=== Further Expansion and Russian Relations ===

In 2004, NATO further expanded to Eastern European countries, these included [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]], resulting in an organization of 26 nations.  This spark of expansion was seen as an offensive move by [[Russia]] and caused a rift in the NATO, Russia relations. The Russian lower house released to the press a statement, "At present we are debating the draft statement of the State Duma which we are planning to adopt in connection with NATO's expansion eastward. Our opinion is equivocal that this act is erroneous. I think that this is a big historical mistake on the part of western states."

In 2004, NATO further expanded to [[Central Europe]]an countries, these included [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]], resulting in an organization of 26 nations.  This spark of expansion was seen as an offensive move by [[Russia]] and caused a rift in the NATO, Russia relations. The Russian lower house released to the press a statement, "At present we are debating the draft statement of the State Duma which we are planning to adopt in connection with NATO's expansion in Europe. Our opinion is equivocal that this act is erroneous. I think that this is a big historical mistake on the part of western states."

=== Afghanistan ===

=== Afghanistan ===