NATO Post

Question 2: How Important is NATO to US Foreign Policy and National Interest?

            NATO holds a significant amount of importance within United States foreign policy and also within it’s national interest. NATO’s original goals were, defend Europe from the Soviet Union, stop militarism in Europe, and focus on European integration. While some of this may need to be adjusted, for example the Soviet Union now no longer exists in the same way it did when NATO was originally founded, it can still be adapted when looking at foreign policy and national interest. For example, while the Soviet Union had disbanded by the end of the 1980s, Russia’s relationship with the U.S and the rest of Europe has been turbulent. There have been numerous conflicts between the Europe and Russia throughout it’s post USSR years, and it can be argued that Europe still needs to be defended from Russia. In terms of national interest, NATO helped in response to counterterrorism in Afghanistan. This gives the United States allies in protecting itself, meaning the United States does not have to make these efforts alone.

            NATO has also help foster better relations for the United States with different countries in Europe that have agreed to join. Throughout its existence, NATO has continuously allowed more countries to join in and out of Europe. Because of this, it has created more alliances for the United States, alliances that may not have been able to create without. This is important to the United States because it helps connect them to the rest of Europe, which makes it easier to work with other nations.

            NATO is also helpful in creating a stronger western alliance against countries like Russia and China. With China’s growing power it is important for the United States to have allies closer to the country. The same can be said for Russia, who can be intimidated by a strong show of alliance from these countries, thereby deterring more serious conflict.