What Role Does NATO Play in Today's World?
By Jocasta Aylott
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War claims 526,000 lives annually, avoidable deaths caused by political fractures. NATO was created to prevent such conflicts, yet its role remains contested. Is it a shield against aggression or a self-serving geopolitical tool?
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Founded in 1949, NATO aimed to curb Soviet expansion, prevent European militarism, and foster political unity. The Cold War justified its existence, but even after the Soviet collapse, NATO has remained essential. Its mission has expanded to counter terrorism, cyber threats, and even climate change. However, its most critical function is deterrence—ensuring that an attack on one member triggers a collective response, as seen in the lone invocation of Article 5 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. One attack in 75 years. That’s proof of NATO’s effectiveness.
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Yet, NATO’s reluctance to intervene in conflicts outside its immediate mandate has fueled criticism. In Bosnia (1992), NATO delayed action despite ethnic cleansing, only stepping in after the Srebrenica massacre. The world's most powerful military alliance hesitated while genocide unfolded. NATO eventually ended the war, but its inaction cost lives. This pattern resurfaced in Afghanistan—swift intervention, prolonged presence, abrupt withdrawal. The Taliban’s return in 2021 exposed NATO’s lack of long-term strategy.
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NATO’s role has become even more contentious with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine is not a NATO member, yet the alliance's support—training troops, supplying weapons—has been crucial. But does NATO’s expansion provoke rather than prevent conflict? Russia views NATO’s enlargement as a direct threat, a sentiment used to justify its aggression. Previously neutral, Finland and Sweden have joined, fearing Russian expansionism. The deterrence principle seems to hold—NATO members remain untouched—but at what cost?
The alliance also faces internal threats. Former President Trump openly questioned NATO’s relevance, criticising members for failing to meet defense spending commitments. His possible re-election casts uncertainty over NATO’s future. Can an alliance built on collective defense survive if its most powerful member wavers?
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Despite its flaws, NATO remains the bedrock of global security. It deters aggression, strengthens alliances, and adapts to new threats. Its interventions may not always be timely or sufficient, but without NATO, the world would be far more unstable. People are alive today because of it. That alone justifies its existence.