Joshua Muravchik

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed after World War II to defend its member countries against an attack by a nonmember country. Since then, NATO has expanded from its original twelve members to sixteen, and the United States has proposed adding three more. In the following viewpoint, Joshua Muravchik asserts that NATO, which has allowed for a strong American influence overseas, is responsible for more than 50 years of peace in Europe. He argues that the alliance must be allowed to change and expand to preserve NATO and ensure continuing peace. Muravchik is the author of The Imperative of American Leadership and Exporting Democracy.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How did NATO and the American presence increase security in Europe, in Muravchik’s opinion?
2. According to the author, how does membership...