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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Definition

NATO is a military alliance formed in 1949 with the primary goal of collective defense and mutual assistance among its member countries. It was created as a response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Analogy

Think of NATO as a group of friends who join forces to protect each other from bullies at school. They have each other's backs and work together to ensure their safety.

Related terms

Collective Defense: This term refers to a strategy where multiple nations come together to defend themselves against potential threats, sharing the burden and increasing their overall security.

Mutual Assistance: Mutual assistance means that member countries support and aid each other in times of need, such as providing military assistance or resources during conflicts or crises.

Cold War: The Cold War was a period of political tension and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, characterized by ideological differences without direct warfare between them.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.