Montenegro is a 10-year-old country in Eastern Europe, which declared independence on June 3, 2006. On June 26 of the same year, it became the 192nd member of the United Nations. And recently back in December 2015, Montenegro was invited to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Allies. However, Montenegro and its history are very controversial to the joining NATO.
Eastern Europe itself is known for not forgetting origins, and Montenegro is also known for that characteristic. In 1999, NATO bombed Yugoslavia in the area, which is now Montenegro, and many Montenegrin citizens were killed and injured. Some believe that because of this event in the past, NATO ascension should be questioned and perhaps Montenegro should take a neutral stance instead and not join. While others, believe that if Montenegro ascends to be a NATO member that the region needs extra security and that is something NATO can guarantee. Many Montenegrin leaders believe that NATO ascension is the right step towards becoming a part of the European Union and that skeptics of NATO membership can be swayed to agree that NATO membership is good for Montenegro.
Russia has responded angrily to the news of Montenegro becoming a member of NATO. Russia sees the NATO expansion in Eastern Europe as undermining its political influence, especially with NATO and Russia’s tense relationship. After the Cold War ended, President George H.W. Bush promised Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not expand to the east and in return, the Soviet Union would abandon communism. Gorbachev agreed to disband the Soviet Union and end their communist ways and Russia kept its promise. However, the United States did not and proceeded to expand NATO and its influential Western ways in former communist countries.
The purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is meant to be a symbol to those other Eastern European countries that they have emerged from the chaos of the Soviet Union, the Warsaw Pact and the wreckage of Yugoslavia to now being a part of the Western World. NATO is also meant to present military support for other NATO members against aggression. If Montenegro joins NATO, it will be joining the ranks of being with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Canada, the United States and many other countries within NATO.
Montenegro would be the 29th member of NATO if membership pans out. NATO membership must be approved by all 28 national governments, including the United States Senate. Montenegro has a small active military of roughly 2,000 troops. However, even though Montenegro’s forces may be small, it is a great political move for NATO to invite Montenegro and it may just increase the tension between the United States and Russia when Montenegro officially becomes a member.
