Ally Cannon NATO

Allison Cannon

AFP

Professor Shirk

3/13/18

How Important is NATO for AFP?

            The North Atlantic Treaty Organization still has strategic value to the United States even though the world wars and the Cold War are over. Considering one of NATO's primary goals during its inception was to counter Soviet aggression, it seems fit that the United States should remain invested in this organization as tensions with Russia escalate.

             Some United States government officials say that we pay far too much compared to other nations, but spending in more than any other country gives us more power to shape the attitude and the interests of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Without American funds, NATO would be at a distinct disadvantage, and the organization cannot afford to lose those funds.

             Not only should the United States remain invested in NATO for its bargaining rights and rising Russian tensions, but it seems that tensions are rising nearly everywhere around the globe. Terrorism is on the rise, and North Korea is testing nuclear weapons. Not to mention the non-conflict related issues such as combating global warming. Now more than ever diplomacy can be a country's most significant weapon. To give ourselves a louder voice in the global sphere it helps to have others standing behind you and backing your positions. Treaties, in general, are fundamental to America's influence over the world. By spreading our influence onto our allies, they then spread our influence onto their allies and so on. If America's goal is indeed "America First," then it is essential for the United States to spread its influence and democracy around the world. The United States does not have to do so in the destructive ways we once did. Diplomacy and alliances are the new gateways to spread western influence.