Why Every NATO Member Joined (And Why Everyone Else Hasn't)

Check out my new book “What Caused the Russia-Ukraine War“: You can also read it for free by signing up for a Kindle Unlimited trial at (These are affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission when you make a transaction through them. This means that even if you read for free, you are still supporting the channel.) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is the most powerful alliance in the world. Some of the reasons countries do or do not join are straightforward. But others are downright bizarre. This video explains them all, including how the pyramid schemes and the word “North“ kept two countries out for years. 0:00 NATO: The World's Most Powerful Alliance 0:31 The Origins of NATO: “Keeping the Russians Out“ 1:35 The Founding Members of NATO and Cold War Additions 4:02 Post-Cold War Expansion 6:44 The North Macedonia Naming Dispute 7:34 Geographic Restrictions 8:58 NATO Opponents 10:22 Neutral States 11:36 Microstates 11:59 Instability and Conflict Images licensed under CC BY 2.0 (): From 7th Army Training Command: From U.S. Secretary of Defense: Images licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 Germany (): From Bundesarchiv: 183-L05487 183-27106-0001 183-1987-0529-029 145 Bild-F024624-0004 145 Bild-P098967 183-L15327 183-2007-0403-501 Images licensed under CC BY 4.0 (): From : Photo of Transnistrian parade courtesy of Government of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.