1999 NATO Enlargement

In 1999, NATO expanded by adding Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, marking its first eastward expansion since the Cold War. This move aimed to promote stability, democracy, and security in Central and Eastern Europe, areas previously under Soviet influence. For these countries, joining NATO was seen as a way to safeguard their independence and integrate with Western institutions. For NATO allies, it was about strengthening collective defense and ensuring peace in a historically unstable region. The expansion reflected a shift towards welcoming former Eastern Bloc nations into the Western security framework, fostering stability and closer ties between Europe and North America.