NATO was founded in 1949 as a strategic security alliance between North American and European countries to counter the Soviet Union. After the fall of the Soviet Union, NATO expanded its role to address new threats like terrorism following 9/11. Canada has been a founding member of NATO and contributed troops to NATO's mission in Afghanistan from 2001-2014, though some Canadians opposed this role due to national interests versus international pressures from other NATO members.

1. NATO & Canada’s role
in Afghanistan

2. Background on NATO
 North Atlantic Treaty Organization
 Founded in 1949
 Strategic security alliance
 “...keep the Russians out, the Americans in,
and the Germans down.” (first NATO
secretary)
 Canada was a founding member of NATO
 The countries allied with the USSR were part
of the Warsaw Pact

3. NATO vs. Warsaw

4. Key Changes to NATO
 After the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) the
communist threat was virtually eliminated
 After 9/11 terrorism emerged as a new threat
for NATO to address

5. Expansion of NATO to 28
Member Nations

6. National Interest vs.
International Pressure
Canada's support for Troops  Based purely upon
in Afghanistan (2007)
Don't
Strongly
national interest how
Know
5%
Support would the Canadian
7%
government respond to
Strongly
these numbers?
Oppose  If NATO wants to
27%
continue action in
Support Afghanistan through
29%
2014, what
Oppose consequences might
32% Canada face?
 View Clip