The growth of NATO has had a significant impact in international security as the military alliances spread throughout Europe. It has reinforced the collective defence efforts where individual states can discourage threats by sharing of intelligence, military resources and coordinated and strategic planning.
The expansion of NATO has also added geopolitical tensions especially to the non-allied nations. Russia also views its influence on East Europe as threatened by NATO and has intensified military movement and competition between NATO and Russia.
Rapid enlargement of the alliance has led to modernization of militaries of new members. They follow NATO standards, invest in defense infrastructures and engage in joint exercises. This enhances regional security but it may cause apprehensions of other countries leading to political tensions.
The expansion of NATO has impacted diplomatic relations throughout the world. Such non-members might be left with the pressure of either showing solidarity with the alliance or opposition to it, an aspect that makes negotiations and economic associations more difficult. One of the ways that this segregation impacts on international alliance is security, trade, and conflict management.
The expansion of NATO has invited further debates on the balancing power in the world. Although it strengthens the defense of the member, it poses instability to the regions where the non-members consider themselves surrounded and hence conflict prevention and diplomacy becomes difficult.
Conclusion
NATO is enlarging to ensure the stability of the members but also increases the geopolitical tensions. It enhances preparedness and deterrence and causes at least a cautious response and a competitive spirit to the non-members and demonstrates an intricate effect on international stability and international relations.
