Since its establishment on April 4, 1949, NATO has played a crucial role in containing the spread of communism post-World War II. A group of twelve nations came together to unite against potential Soviet aggression during the Cold War and protect political liberalism and human rights against Soviet totalitarianism. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, NATO has continued to strengthen and expand, with countries like Sweden and Finland joining in recent years, bringing the total membership to 32 nations.
Over time, NATO has intervened in various conflicts and crises, such as the bombing of Serbia in 1999 and the invasions of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. In 2014, tensions between NATO and Russia resurfaced following the annexation of Crimea, leading to a strained relationship. The conflict in Ukraine in 2022 further exacerbated these tensions, prompting NATO to send aid to the country. However, internal divisions within the alliance, such as differing views on defense spending and main threats like Russia or China, have also strained relations.
According to historian Rodrigo Murillo, European and American divisions within NATO could pose a significant challenge to the alliance’s unity. He believes that if countries like France begin to question their reliance on the U.S. for security or if there is a disagreement over defense spending or main threats like Russia or China it could lead to more pressure on NATO’s objectives and military capabilities. Murillo points out that while the situation may be politically complex, NATO’s military capabilities are not as severe as they were during the Cold War; however he warns that potential future conflicts could pose significant challenges for NATO’s future.
Despite these challenges facing NATO Murillo believes that it is not currently facing its most difficult period in history due to its strong military capabilities
