What keeps NATO together—and what could tear it apart?

Founded in 1949 as a shield against Soviet expansion, NATO has since grown into a global military powerhouse. But beneath the surface, contradictions and conflicts have shaped its history. How did an alliance built on democracy include authoritarian regimes? Why is NATO still expanding decades after the Cold War? And with rising global tensions, is it stronger than ever—or on the brink of collapse?

In this episode of The Curiosity Journey, we dive into NATO’s origins, evolution, and future. From Cold War power plays to modern-day challenges like Russia and China, we uncover the alliance’s biggest strengths—and its deepest vulnerabilities.

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FURTHER READING

Legislation & Official Documents

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, “The North Atlantic Treaty” (1949), online: NATO https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_17120.htm.

Government & Institutional Reports

Jim Garamone, “U.S. Begins Process of 'Unwinding' Turkey From F-35 Program, DOD Officials Say” (17 July 2019), United States Department of Defense, online: https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1909365/us-begins-process-of-unwinding-turkey-from-f-35-program-dod-officials-say/.

Michael Pompeo, “The United States Sanctions Turkey Under CAATSA 231” (14 December 2020), United States Department of State, online: https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-sanctions-turkey-under-caatsa-231/.

Articles in Journals

Butch Bracknell, “NATO Approaches in Response to ISIL and International Terrorism” (2016) 49:3 Intl Lawyer 417.

Münevver Cebeci, “NATO-EU Cooperation and Turkey” (2011) 10:3 Turk Pol Q 93.

John Howorth, “EU-NATO Cooperation: The Key to Europe’s Security Future” (2017) 26:4 Eur Sec 454.

Dominika Kunertova & Niklas Masuhr, “The War Against Ukraine Shapes NATO’s Future” (2022) 10:4 Policy Persp 1.

Henrik Larsen, “Adapting NATO to Great-Power Competition” (2022) 45:4 Wash Q 7.

Henrik Larsen & Lindbo Boesen, “NATO’s Strategic Concept: Three Do’s and Don’ts” (2021) 9:7 Policy Persp 1.

Marianne Leeuwen, “NATO and the War on Terror” (2017) 41:3 Antantisch Perspectief 14.

Tarık Oğuzlu, “Turkey’s Eroding Commitment to NATO: From Identity to Interests” (2012) 35:3 Wash Q 153.

Barry Posen, “The Rise of Illiberal Hegemony: Trump’s Surprising Grand Strategy” (2018) 97:2 Foreign Aff 20.

Marc Pierini, “How Far Can Turkey Challenge NATO and the EU in 2020?” (2020) Carnegie Endowment for Intl Peace 1.

James Sperling & Mark Webber, “NATO and the Ukraine Crisis: Collective Securitisation” (2016) 2 EJIS 19.

Celeste Wallander, “NATO’s Enemies Within: How Democratic Decline Could Destroy the Alliance” (2018) 97:4 Foreign Aff 70.

Andrew Wolff, “The Future of NATO Enlargement After the Ukraine Crisis” (2015) 91:5 Intl Aff 1103.

Book Chapters

Daniel Silander, “North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)” in Daniel Silander, Don Wallace & John Janzekovick, eds, International Organizations and the Rise of ISIL (2016).