NATO was mainly formed in 1949 after the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty to deter an attack by the Soviet Union on non-communist nations of Western Europe during the Cold War. NATO was also established to keep the peace among former enemies in Western Europe. The purpose of this organization is to enhance the stability, well-being, and freedom of its members by means of a system of collective security (Encarta, 1). In its first decade NATO was mainly a military organization dependent on U.S. power for security and for the revival of Europe’s economy (Encarta, 2). The United States military was and still is the alliance’s most powerful member. NATO countries believed that the Soviet Union would not attack if it would trigger war with the U.S. NATO’s policy is known as deterrence be

Since the creation of NATO the organization has has many successes in its history. Overall NATO has helped its members create closer ties between countries that once might have been enemies and now are growing together in an effort to maintain a peaceful world. NATO is credited for dissuading the Soviet Union from attempting direct assault on Western Europe during the Cold War. In the early 90’s NATO drastically reduced the military threat from the USSR after a political transformation. NATO forces also actively supported the UN peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovnia. NATO attacked Bosnian Serbs who were fighting the government and the conflict eventually ended in 1995. In 1993 NATO offered former enemies and Warsaw Pact members a chance to join in keeping a peaceful world by participating in peacekeeping operations. Although the USSR showed no interest, some of the former USSR satellites joined with the USSR also eventually joining. This was known as the Partnership for Peace, and members were allowed to become part of NATO if they meant certain requirements. France who had been a member of NATO previously then withdrew, later returned after 30 years. France accepted a seat on the military committee after Bill Clinton accelerated plans for expansion of NATO. In 1997, 15 foreign countries were looked at as possible candidates for entering NATO. This has shown that the organization was expanding which in turn means more chances for a peaceful world.

With success also comes failure. NATO experienced disagreements among members many times. One of the disagreement

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