The nations control these forces, deciding how and when they're going to be used. They train and exercise together and that gives the overall capability when you want to bring them together. A new problem also surfaced for NATO following the Soviet empire's collapse, Juhl noted. Newly independent states were emerging in the East. As NATO officials considered this question, they looked to the past and the future, Juhl said.
Nations standing together are obviously stronger than one nation standing alone.
Because NATO nations contribute to a common defense, each is spared the expense of building the much larger force structure needed if they were solely responsible for their own military defense. NATO also has served as a vehicle for members to resolve border disputes and other regional problems through peaceful consultation rather than military conflict, Juhl said. They each had transparency in their defense planning and their national defense establishments contributed to the collective defense. NATO authorities concluded that drawing together the newly emerging states could do the same in Central and Eastern Europe. Extending NATO's reach could help ensure peace well into the 21st century, Juhl said.