Part 2/11:
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in 1949 with the primary objective of curbing the spread of communism. Initially comprised of 12 member countries, NATO has since expanded to 32 nations. The cornerstone of the alliance is Article 5, which mandates collective defense — an attack against one member is viewed as an attack against all. Historically, the United States has shouldered much of this burden, ensuring that European allies remain secure.