The NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military composition in North Atlantic signed in 1949. NATO is also referred to as North Atlantic Alliance. It consists of collective defense where a member state mutually agrees to defend one another in case of an external attack by an enemy. Its headquarters is located in Brussels Belgium, it constitutes of 28 member’s state the newest members being Croatia and Albania who joined in April 2009, it’s also interesting to note that over 70% of world defense spending originates from NATO member states. For the first few years, NATO was not visible in that it was not a force to reckon with as such in 1949 the first NATO secretary general stated categorically that its main objective was to keep the Russians Out, Germans down and Americans in these lead to the formation of Independent French Nuclear deterrent and subsequent withdrawal of French military from NATO in 1966.it conducted its first military intervention in Bosnia from 1992 to 1995 and in Yugoslavia in 1999,the organization also had better relations with former cold war rivals which led to former Warsaw pact states joining the alliance which was an alliance of east European socialist states.
The 2001 September attack on twin towers in the United States signaled the he only circumstance in which article 5 of the North Atlantic treaty has been invoked as an attack on NATO member, article 5 stated that An attack against one or more of their members in Europe and North America is like an attack against them all and they agreed that if such an attack occurs its defense will assist the party or parties attacked by taking actions deemed necessary such as use of Armed forces to restore and maintain security of the area and any such armed attack and all measures taken shall be reported to the security council and such measures are terminated when security council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain peace. In these regards after the attack troops were deployed to Afghanistan under leadership of NATO, the roles extended to include sending trainers to Iraq, assisting to counter piracy operations and recently the no fly zone over Libya in accordance to UN security Resolution.
Article 4 is less powerful and invokes dialogue between NATO members, it mainly serves to send a political symbol that NATO is concerned with a particular situation. (Baylis, 1993).
It's often said that NATO was founded in response to threats from Soviet Union, this is not totally true since its main objectives was to prevent the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American Presence and encouraging integration in Europe. NATO brought along benefits such as improved security through NATO’S security umbrella, political stability as well as post war economic restoration and revival. Soviet Union were afraid of NATO leading to the formation of Warsaw pact intended to rival NATO, that’s why NATO adopted the doctrine of massive retaliation which entailed response using nuclear weapons if Soviet Union attacks, the intended effect Is to discourage each side from risk taking since nuclear is extremely dangerous no matter the size. In 1979 cold war was revived soviet invasion of Afghanistan and deployment of ballistic missiles in Europe led to suspension of détente, to counter the soviet deployment, the Allies made the decision to deploy nuclear missiles in Western Europe while engaging in negotiations with an aim to achieve arms control agreement that would eliminate weapons. (Kaplan, 2004)
The main reason for NATO formation was Soviet influence, threats against Greece and Turkey created tension in Western Europe. As a result, in April 1949, according to the UN charter NATO was established by 12 nations to coordinate the military defenses of member nations against a possible Soviet aggression.
The 12 Nations are Belgium, Canada, France, Portugal, Luxembourg, Denmark, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Netherlands and United States, other countries such as Greece, Turkey and Federal Republic of Germany joined later in 1952. They all agreed to consider that an armed attack against any one of them is an attack against all. French Algeria was among the territory included and provisions for protection of the forces in Europe. Other members/partners include those in Mediterranean dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation initiative and a number of individual partners whom NATO isn’t required to defend from attack.
In December 1950, the appointment was made and General Dwight D. Eisenhower was made the Supreme Commander of NATO military forces. On February 1952 a conference was held and it approved the idea of a European army. Some countries later withdrew such as during the Baghdad pact (Iraq, Turkey and later Pakistan and Iran withdrew). As others withdrew others signed friendship treaties such as France and Germany.
Its highest organ, the North Atlantic Council meets on several levels: Head of Governments, Ministers or permanent representatives, the Organ makes guidelines which covers civilians and military. Secretary-general is the council chair. Under council is the Military Committee which meets at the chief of staff or permanent representative levels. Its headquarters is in Washington DC and has representatives of chief of staff. France retreated from the Military Committee, a council member, they returned to NATO’s Military Command in 2009. NATO has two divisions, Allied Command, led by a Commander, this division directs NATO forces, and during war times it controls all land, air and sea operations. Its headquarters is in Norfolk. The other division is responsible for decision making and recommendations on strategic transformations of forces in NATO.
NATO’s role in world affairs changed in the 1990’s due to collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw treaty organization, and there was a reduction of U.S forces in Europe. In partnership there are more than 20 countries which engage in joint military exercises. NATO-Russia Council was established in 2002 which enabled Russia to participate in NATO discussions on non defense issues. NATO wants to make a difference in today’s world, it strives for peace and prosperity, and it works hard to accomplish its goals, it concentrates on extending security and stability throughout Europe, also encourage peacekeeping efforts all over the world. In 2009 it sent ships for protection of maritime in Indian Ocean from Somali pirates, it also helps to strengthen the navies and coast guards of states.
There is also operation ocean shield which deals with protecting the ship of operation allied provider, the operation allied provider helps in distributing aid as part of world food program. Countries such as China and South Korea have been sending warships to participate as well. It also took control of the no-fly zone while it commands targeting ground units, NATO enforces UN resolution and it started on March 2011 assisted by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Among its operations it also emphasis on training and mentoring, such as the Iraq training mission was coordinated by Iraq authorities but led by U.S Deputy Commanding General Advising and Training.
Currently NATO has about 28 nations. Most of the new membership in the alliance has been from Eastern Europe and Balkans. Some countries were promised invitations in the future such as Georgia, Ukraine and Republic of Macedonia. Further expansion was opposed by Russian because they saw it as inconsistence with the understanding between the then Soviet leader (George H.W. Bush), former US president, this gave way for a peaceful German reunification. (Heller, 1992)
North Atlantic Treaty explains how decisions are to be made in NATO, each of the 28 nations sends a delegation to its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. A permanent member meets at least once a week and they have effective governance authority and powers in NATO. It is chaired by the Secretary General of NATO, during decision making, action is agreed on the basis of unanimity and common accord, neither voting nor decision by majority takes place. Complete sovereignty and responsibility is retained by subordinate committees.
NATO has brought along the following benefits which include; the fact that it helps its members to create defensive programs, these promotes the security of a given member state consequently leading to improved in economic environment and also attraction of investors due to peace and stability. With these increased foreign investments will translate to improved economy in addition to countries that cannot defend themselves will get protection from NATO as long as it’s a member state. These helps in promoting peace and stability throughout the world, it’s also interesting to note that for small countries it’s cheaper to join NATO than to establish its own security and defense system. The modern equipments and sophisticated weapons used by NATO is of great help to developing countries since such machines are too costly and require expertise which is not easily available in developing countries, hence cost effective for such countries to join NATO.
NATO also has its fair share of drawbacks which include the fact that the majority of people do have the perception that the fear of war is only in the mind and that such investments such as in NATO is unnecessary furthermore some countries do prefer to stay as a neutral country not to forget the fact that resources are required in order to join NATO. In conclusion the formation and subsequent operations of NATO has brought in along more positive aspects which include; peace, security, stability and economic growth as compared to the drawbacks which have come along. (Duignan, 2000)
Reference
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Baylis, J. (1993). The diplomacy of pragmatism: Britain and the formation of NATO, 1942-1949. Kent, Ohio: Kent State Univ. Press.
Duignan, P. (2000). NATO: Its past, present, and future. Stanford, Calif: Hoover Inst. Press.
Heller, F. H., & Gillingham, J. (1992). NATO: The founding of the Atlantic Alliance and the integration of Europe. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Kaplan, L. S. (2004). NATO divided, NATO united: The evolution of an alliance. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger.
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