NATO: Projecting US Military Power

August 30, 2008

This animation is a graphic depiction of the growth of NATO toward the western border of Russia.

The animation starts with the situation in Europe when Germany surrendered in May 1945. The Red Army had driven the armies of the Third Reich and its allies across eastern Europe and well into Germany itself. Governments friendly to Moscow were installed in all the countries occupied by the Red Army, including the eastern part of Germany itself. The latter became, on October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic. It was annexed by West Germany on October 3, 1999.

NATO Expansion: 1949 to 2008
		Non-aligned states.
		Until 1990: USSR, thereafter Russia and Moscow-aligned states.
		States allied with the USSR.
		Yugoslavia, attempted to remain allied with Russia after 1990. Destroyed by NATO in 1999 and split into 7 successor states. Two have joined NATO.
		States which are militarily allied with the US through NATO.
		States which desire to join NATO.
Click to play. Click to re-initialize.

For more information on the growth of NATO click here.