GROUP TWO, HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SINCE 1945.

GROUP TWO MEMBERS.

MUSILI DENNIS - BIR/2021/96769

RUTH PETER- BIR/2021/80114

EMMY ABOK- BIR/2021/96256

DIANE DEGBE-BIR/2021/43642

SHARON NAEKU- BIR/2021/93522

MUGAMBI GITONGA- BIR/2020/91619

HUMPHREY KIMANI- BIR/2021/86053

DANSON WAINAINA- BIR/2020/90988

QUESTION: Discuss the achievements and failures of NATO

during the Cold War period.

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INTRODUCTION.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, commonly referred to as NATO, is a military alliance that was
formed in 1949. It was created in the aftermath of World War II, during a time of great tension and
uncertainty in Europe. In this answer, we will explore the formation of NATO, where it was formed, and
the reasons for its formation.

NATO was formed in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, on April 4, 1949. The
organization was created by the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, which was a mutual defense
agreement between the United States, Canada, and ten European nations. The ten European nations
that joined the United States and Canada in signing the treaty were Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

The formation of NATO was in response to the Soviet Union's growing power and influence in Europe.
The Soviet Union had emerged from World War II as one of the most powerful nations in the world, and
its communist ideology posed a threat to the democratic governments of Western Europe. In addition,
the Soviet Union had occupied much of Eastern Europe and was spreading its influence throughout the
continent.

The United States, which had emerged from World War II as a superpower, was determined to prevent
the spread of communism and to protect the democratic governments of Western Europe. The creation
of NATO was seen as a way to achieve this goal. By forming a military alliance with Western European
nations, the United States hoped to deter Soviet aggression and to provide a collective defense against
any potential Soviet attack.

The North Atlantic Treaty, which formed the basis of NATO, included a provision known as Article 5. This
provision stated that an attack on one member of the alliance would be considered an attack on all
members, and that all members would respond with the necessary measures, including the use of
military force, to defend against the attack. This provision was intended to deter Soviet aggression by
making it clear that an attack on any member of NATO would result in a collective response from the
entire alliance.

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In addition to its role as a military alliance, NATO also played an important role in the political and
economic integration of Western Europe. The creation of NATO helped to strengthen ties between the
United States and its European allies, and it provided a framework for cooperation on a wide range of
issues. NATO also helped to promote economic growth and stability in Western Europe by providing a
framework for trade and investment.

Over the years, NATO has evolved and expanded to include new members and to take on new roles and
responsibilities. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the end of the Cold War, NATO faced a
new set of challenges. The organization shifted its focus from deterring Soviet aggression to promoting
stability and security in Europe more broadly.

In the years since the end of the Cold War, NATO has taken on a range of new missions and operations.
These include peacekeeping and crisis management operations in the Balkans, counterterrorism
operations in Afghanistan, and efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. NATO has also
expanded its membership, with 12 new members joining since the end of the Cold War.

Today, NATO remains a critical organization for ensuring the security and stability of Europe and North
America. It continues to play an important role in deterring aggression and promoting cooperation
among its member states. While its focus has evolved over the years, its commitment to collective
defense and shared values remains as strong as ever.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF NATO DURING THE COLD WAR PERIOD.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed as a military alliance between Western
European countries and the United States, with the goal of deterring Soviet aggression and preventing
the spread of communism in Europe. The Cold War period, which lasted from the late 1940s to the early
1990s, was marked by intense political and military tensions between NATO and the Soviet Union, but
also by a number of important achievements for the alliance.

One of the key achievements of NATO during the Cold War was the establishment of a strong and
integrated military force that was capable of deterring Soviet aggression. NATO's military capabilities
were built up gradually over the course of several decades, with the alliance working to develop a

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coordinated defense strategy and a common set of tactics and procedures. By the 1980s, NATO had
developed a formidable military force that included a range of conventional and nuclear weapons, as
well as advanced technology and intelligence capabilities.

Another important achievement of NATO during the Cold War was the role it played in promoting
economic and political stability in Europe. In the aftermath of World War II, Europe was in a state of
economic and political chaos, and there were serious concerns about the potential for communist
movements to gain power in countries across the region. To address these challenges, NATO worked
closely with its member countries to promote economic development, strengthen democratic
institutions, and provide security guarantees that helped to stabilize the region and prevent the spread
of communism.

NATO also played a key role in managing the complex geopolitics of the Cold War period, working to
balance the interests of its member countries with those of the United States and other allies. This
involved a range of diplomatic efforts, including negotiations with the Soviet Union and other
communist countries, as well as the development of regional security agreements and other multilateral
initiatives.

Perhaps one of the most significant achievements of NATO during the Cold War was the fact that it
prevented a major conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. Despite a number of close
calls and moments of tension, NATO's deterrence strategy ultimately succeeded in preventing a direct
military confrontation between the two superpowers. This was a remarkable achievement given the
high stakes of the Cold War period, and it helped to pave the way for the eventual collapse of the Soviet
Union and the end of the Cold War.

NATO played a key role in promoting arms control and disarmament during the Cold War period.
Through a series of negotiations and treaties, NATO worked to limit the spread of nuclear weapons and
reduce the risks of a catastrophic conflict. Notably, the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF)
Treaty, which was signed by the United States and the Soviet Union, resulted in the elimination of an
entire class of nuclear weapons and helped to ease tensions between the two superpowers.

Furthermore, NATO's efforts to promote economic and political stability in Europe during the Cold War
period helped to pave the way for the integration of the continent in the years that followed. The
establishment of the European Union, which grew out of a series of post-war economic and political
agreements, was in part a response to the challenges of the Cold War and the need for greater unity and
cooperation among European nations.

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The achievements of NATO during the Cold War period were significant and far-reaching. By establishing
a strong military force, promoting economic and political stability, managing complex geopolitics, and
preventing a major conflict, NATO played a crucial role in shaping the political and military landscape of
Europe and the world. The alliance helped to create a stable and secure environment in which
democratic institutions could flourish, and it laid the groundwork for closer political and economic
cooperation among its member countries.

Moreover, NATO's success during the Cold War period laid the foundation for its continued relevance
and importance in the post-Cold War era. As the security challenges facing Europe and the world have
evolved in the decades since the fall of the Soviet Union, NATO has adapted and expanded its mission,
taking on new roles in areas such as peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity.

Today, NATO remains a cornerstone of transatlantic security, and its continued success will depend on
its ability to adapt to changing geopolitical realities and to maintain the strong relationships and
partnerships that have been built over the course of its history. By continuing to work together in
pursuit of common goals and shared values, NATO member countries can help to ensure that the
alliance remains a vital force for peace and stability in the years to come.

Finally, it is important to note that NATO's achievements during the Cold War period were not without
controversy or criticism. There are a number of failures of NATO.

FAILURES OF NATO DURING THE COLD WAR PERIOD.

Despite its initial success in deterring Soviet aggression, NATO faced several challenges and failures
during the Cold War period. We will examine some of the key failures of NATO during the Cold War
period.

One of the main failures of NATO during the Cold War period was its inability to prevent the Soviet
Union from expanding its influence in Eastern Europe. Despite the military alliance's efforts to contain
Soviet expansionism, the Soviet Union was able to establish satellite states in Eastern Europe, including
East Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. This failure was due to a combination of factors,
including the Soviet Union's military strength, its willingness to use force to achieve its objectives, and
the limitations of NATO's military capabilities.

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Another failure of NATO during the Cold War period was its inability to prevent the Soviet Union from
gaining a strategic advantage in the arms race. The Soviet Union developed a formidable nuclear
arsenal, which posed a significant threat to NATO's security. Despite the deployment of US missiles in
Europe and the development of NATO's own nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union was able to maintain a
strategic advantage in nuclear weapons throughout much of the Cold War period. This failure was due
to a combination of factors, including the Soviet Union's technological capabilities, its willingness to
invest heavily in its military, and the limitations of NATO's own military-industrial complex.

NATO's inability to prevent the Soviet Union from gaining a strategic advantage in the arms race was
compounded by its failure to develop a coherent strategy for dealing with the Soviet Union. NATO's
strategy was based on the concept of deterrence, which relied on the threat of a massive retaliatory
strike to deter Soviet aggression. However, this strategy was criticized for being too inflexible and for
failing to take into account the nuances of the Soviet Union's military strategy.

Another failure of NATO during the Cold War period was its inability to prevent the outbreak of conflicts
in other parts of the world that threatened its security. For example, the Vietnam War and the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan had a significant impact on NATO's strategic posture and its ability to respond to
potential threats. NATO's failure to prevent these conflicts was due to a combination of factors,
including its limited military capabilities outside of Europe, its dependence on the US for military
support, and its inability to build effective partnerships with other countries outside of Europe.

NATO also faced significant challenges in maintaining its unity during the Cold War period. The alliance
was made up of countries with different political systems, military capabilities, and strategic priorities.
This often led to disagreements and tensions within the alliance, which weakened its ability to respond
to potential threats. For example, the 1956 Suez Crisis highlighted the differences between the US and
its European allies over the use of military force to protect their interests.

Furthermore, NATO's failure to adapt to changing geopolitical realities was a significant weakness during
the Cold War period. The alliance was designed to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union, but it
failed to develop a strategy for dealing with other emerging security challenges, such as terrorism and
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This failure was due to a combination of factors,
including the alliance's focus on traditional military capabilities and its reluctance to take on new roles
and responsibilities outside of Europe.

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Finally, NATO's failure to prevent the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War was a
significant setback for the alliance. While NATO played a role in containing Soviet aggression and
deterring military conflict during the Cold War period, it was unable to prevent the collapse of the Soviet
Union and the subsequent geopolitical realignment that followed. This failure highlighted the limitations
of military alliances in shaping the course of international relations and the need for alternative
approaches to security cooperation.

While NATO was successful in deterring Soviet aggression during the Cold War period, it faced several
significant failures and challenges. These included its inability to prevent Soviet expansionism, to gain a
strategic advantage in the arms race, to develop a coherent strategy for dealing with the Soviet Union,
to prevent conflicts outside of Europe, to maintain its unity, to adapt to changing geopolitical realities,
and to prevent the end of the Cold War. These failures highlight the complex nature of international
security and the limitations of military alliances in shaping the course of international relations.

CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, NATO played a significant role in maintaining the balance of power during the Cold War
period. Its primary achievement was to deter Soviet aggression and prevent the outbreak of a major war
in Europe. The alliance also helped to promote economic cooperation and political stability among its
member states. However, NATO faced several challenges and failures, including the inability to prevent
the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the lack of progress in arms control negotiations, and the
controversial deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Europe. Despite these shortcomings, NATO
remains a vital security alliance today and continues to adapt to evolving threats and challenges in the
21st century.

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