NATO
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance of 31 member countries (primarily European and North American) committed to collective defense - an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. It was created in 1949 to counter Soviet expansion and remains the world's most powerful military alliance.
Real World
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, NATO members invoked collective solidarity — supplying weapons, intelligence, and financial aid to Ukraine — demonstrating the alliance's continued relevance beyond its Cold War origins.
Exam Focus
When evaluating NATO's power, reference both Article 5 and specific post-Cold War expansions eastward to show understanding of its evolving geopolitical role.
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