North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is the military alliance among 32 states in Europe and North America. It was founded in 1949 to ensure security and sovereignty in both political and military means. After the incident of 9 11, article 5 was passed which stated that attack on any of the country within NATO will consider attack on whole Europe so they will be bounded to protect it and fight collectively. Its head quarter is in Brussels, Belgium and its official language is English and French. US has crucial role in NATO. It is maintaining stability and peace over the globe.
According to seriousness, sensitivity and nature of conflict, NATO as the ideal third party deals with it. There are several ways for dealing a conflict. It includes diplomacy most reliable way, crisis management, aid or hostile approach for use of military. In past, it was witnessed during Cold War that to counter balance Warsaw Pact, NATO stimulated exercises but didn’t put them into actions. During the time 1955, Warsaw pact was formed by Russia colluding with Poland, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania to show deterrence against America. The purpose of NATO activities and exercises was to give clear message to Warsaw pact not dare to attack or fight with Europe otherwise they will be defensive.
likewise, the only time when NATO behaved offensively was in 2001 after 9 11 attack. They collectively fought against terrorism and attacked many countries. Two of the major operations were held. Operation Eagle Assist: NATO AWACS radar planned to patrol in the U.S. skies. It was held from October 12, 2001 to May 16, 2002. First time NATO invoked Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty and show solidarity and support for the US. The operation involved seven NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft from 13 member nations and was deemed complete once the immediate threat to U.S. airspace diminished.. Operation Active Endeavour: A mission to stop terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea using NATO’s naval forces. These two operations were openly held by NATO which included military. US on behalf of NATO always intervened in regional conflicts but mostly by giving aids and diplomacy.
Not just bounded to this but NATO has played greater role in conflict resolution in world. Firstly, the event which witnessed NATO participation was in 1990, when after disintegration of Yugoslavia, two states emerged in map of world named, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Three ethnic groups were fighting for the land. NATO launched disarmament movement, conducted Operation Deliberate Force which bombed Serbian army to end fight. Peacekeeping troops were sent by NATO (IFOR and SFOR). Similarly, other major conflicts include Kosovo conflict 1999, ended pirate attacks near Somalia which were started in 2009 and ended in 2016 and many more.
In contrast, NATO is also dealing with many challenges both internally and externally. China and Russia are main and direct threat to NATO as its organizations are widely spreading. Following this cyber-attacks and other unethical issues are creating main concern for NATO. In addition to this, Russia Ukraine war is also destabilizing the Europe and leading much change in geopolitical drift. Despite these all there are internal challenges also faced by it like lack of funding, disarmament, less negotiation or alliances with other organizations. One of the major reason is its intervention is threat to states sovereignty.
Consequently, its purpose is driven from defense to peace and stability across globe not just limiting in Europe. History has seen its involvement in much matters resulting both positive and negative impacts.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.