NATO enlargement

NATO enlargement refers to the process by which the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expands its membership to include more countries. This typically happens when nations seek to join NATO for security assurances against potential threats. Aligned with democratic values, NATO's enlargement has seen former Eastern Bloc countries and others in Europe join after the Cold War. While it aims to enhance collective defense, it can also create tensions with non-member countries, particularly Russia, which views NATO's growth as a threat to its influence. The process involves meeting specific political and military criteria for membership.