I disagree 1000%.
If the “cold war” was truly over, then the military organization that was on side A of the coin should have been disbanded and a true east/west peace could have been easier to achieve.
Russia was threatened by the expanding former-foe NATO
But like all bureaucracy, it eats itself alive when no longer relevant—just like much of the US government itself
There is no need for
NPR
USPS
DOE
Dept of Housing and Urban Develop
that it the TIP of the iceberg my friend of bureaucracy that serves ZERO F’ING purpose at all. postal needs and services can easily be absorbed within the private sector and some sensible laws/regulations to make sure legal mail etc.. gets to the recipient. But does the DOE serve any positive purpose—nope.
When was the last time you heard of a government agency/commission/organization just get deactivated/defunded because it no longer serves it’s purpose.
hence, what should have happened to NATO by the end of the 20th century.
but like wikipedia itself says:
In the 1990s, the organization extended its activities into political and humanitarian situations that had not formerly been NATO concerns
If the war is truly over, then theres no need for the military alliance....and if the war isn’t over....then, well, here we are ukraine/Russia 2022.
Nations ask to join NATO and are voted in. Nations are invaded and forced to join Russia.
You cannot appreciate the difference because you are “1000%” biased.