NATO Enlargement: Why or Why Not

摘要

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was originally created in 1949 with twelve founding nations. The alliance currently has expanded to twenty-six members with two additional nations accepted and awaiting ratification from member nations while a third nation is close to acceptance. The original twelve member alliance is approaching thirty members. Enlargement of the alliance is open to all European nations and based on Article 10 of the Washington Treaty. Why has NATO more than doubled its original size and what are the possibilities for additional enlargement.