Evolution and Importance of NATO

NATO is 75 years old. It was founded to “deter” the expansion of the Soviet Union, “forbid” the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong American presence on the continent, and “encourage European political integration.” Today, there is a European Union, reasonably integrated politically, nationalist militarism is not a serious European problem, and the Soviet Union lies in the “dust heap of history.” 

But the successor state to the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation, is right now waging a brutal and criminal war against Ukraine which is not a NATO country but which has borders with NATO countries. 

So, how is NATO holding up after all these years? What else should it be doing? Is it addressing Moscow’s alliance with Beijing and Tehran?

To discuss, host Cliff May is joined by his FDD colleagues RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Bradley Bowman.