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Essay / To become or not to become a member of NATO - 3361
Introduction: The end of the Cold War changed the nature of world politics. Although the era of containment is over, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continues to provide international defense cooperation essential to U.S. national security interests. NATO also serves to preserve stability and propagate democratic values on the transatlantic scene. Article In recent years, NATO has recruited many countries that were once under the rule of the Warsaw Pact. One of the countries that has currently expressed interest in becoming a member of NATO is the Republic of Georgia. The Republic of Georgia is a post-Soviet state located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Georgia shares a northern border with the Russian Federation and adjoins the Black Sea to the east. At the Bucharest Summit in 2008, the Republic of Georgia requested a Membership Action Plan (MAP), which is a contingent plan for NATO membership. This request for a membership action plan was refused by the North Atlantic Council, notably by France and Germany, because they believed that the inclusion of Georgia in NATO would cause regional relations with the Russian Federation. Georgia's prospects for future membership were further postponed in August 2008 when they entered into armed conflict with the Russian Federation over the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The five-day conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia has ended after protests from the international community. Although middle of paper ......s should continue its efforts to ensure the security of Georgia during its development. These efforts should not be limited exclusively to military support but to the negation of peace talks between Georgia and its neighbors. ConclusionGeorgia is a strategic regional ally that has grown significantly since its independence. Georgia has attracted international attention due to its ability to set a precedent in future NATO enlargements. The international community must act with caution when intervening in the South Caucasus. Georgia has the potential to become a hegemonic power in the region, but its success will depend on the future stability of its economic development and regional relational ties. The United States should consider the mutual security of the two countries before articulating a policy of NATO enlargement to the region..