The+North+Atlantic+Treaty+Organization

NATO was created as a result of World War II. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed on 4 April, 1949. NATO was established to prevent the Soviet Union from expanding, prevent the "revival of nationalist militarism", and encourage "European political integration" (http://www.nato.int/history/nato-history.html)
 * History**


 * Member States (**Strongest in **Bold)**
 * Albania
 * **Belgium**
 * Bulgaria
 * Canada
 * **Croatia**
 * Czech Republic
 * Denmark
 * **Estonia**
 * France
 * **Germany**
 * Greece
 * Hungary
 * Iceland
 * Italy
 * Latvia
 * **Lithuania**
 * Luxembourg
 * **Netherlands**
 * Norway
 * Poland
 * Portugal
 * Romania
 * **Slovakia**
 * **Slovenia**
 * Spain
 * Turkey
 * United Kingdom
 * United States


 * Purposes:**


 * Preventing Soviet Union from expanding
 * "Forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent" (http://www.nato.int/history/nato-history.html)
 * "Encouraging European political integration" (http://www.nato.int/history/nato-history.html)


 * Organization**


 * Civilian Structure**

Nato Headquarters Permanent Representatives and National Delegations International Staff Private Office Political Affairs and Security Policy Division Operations Division Emerging Security Challenges Division Defense Policy and Planning Division Defense Investment Division Public Diplomacy Division Executive Management NATO Office of Resources NATO Office of Security

For more information on Civilian Structure, click this.


 * Military Stucture**

The Military Committee International Military Staff Plans and Policy Division Operations Division Intelligence Division Cooperation and Regional Security Division Logistics, Armaments and Resources Division NATO Situation Centre Financial Controller NATO HQ Consultation, Control and Communications Staff( HQC3) Partner Country Representation NATO Training Group Committee on Women in the NATO Forces NATO Military Audiovisual Working Group Allied Command Operations Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe Headquarters Alllied Joint Force Command HQ Brunssum Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Naples Joint Headquarters Lisbon Rapidly Deployable Corps Headquarters Other Staffs and Commands Responsible to SACEUR Allied Command Transformation (ACT) Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Other NATO Command & Staff Organizations

For more information on Military Structure, click this.


 * Organizations and Agencies**

Logistics Production Logistics Standardization Civil Emergency Planning Air Traffic Management, Air Defense Airborne Early Warning Communication and Information Systems Electronic Warfare Meteorology Military Oceanography Research and Technology Education and Training NATO accredited Centres of Excellence Project Steering Committees/Project Offices

For more information on Organizations and Agencies, click this.


 * Advantages of Membership:**
 * States can have a "political and military alliance" (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/what_is_nato.htm)
 * "NATO is committed to the principle that an attack against one or several members is considered an attack against all" (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/what_is_nato.htm)
 * "NATO is an alliance of countries from Europe and North America. It provides a unique link between these two continents" (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/what_is_nato.htm)


 * Disadvantages of Membership:**
 * One problem for a state is a problem for all members.

NATO provides military support, which might affect local diversity. For example, a state in which civilians are rebelling against the government might have the support of NATO to make sure it does not break apart. In the process, NATO sends military back-up to the state, and as a result the interaction threatens local diversity. Unstable areas are willing to change so the influence of other places can change a place drastically.

media type="custom" key="12871078" width="400" height="400" align="center" Information Retrieved From: http://www.nato.int/history/nato-history.html http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm