Part 4/11:
A comprehensive historical overview traces NATO’s origins to the Cold War, when it was founded mainly to deter Soviet aggression in Western Europe. Its primary goal was to rebuild and secure Western Europe during the Marshall Plan era—an effort to contain communism and promote stability post-World War II.
However, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, NATO’s purpose came into question. Instead of disbanding, NATO reoriented itself toward surrounding and constraining Russia, which remains suspicious of Western intentions. The host elaborates that in the post-Cold War era, NATO transformed from a defensive alliance into an instrument of modern globalism, extending its reach into Eastern Europe and acting as a buffer against Russia.