Obviously there is a good reason for NATO, and for more nations joining, but I sure don't know what they are. NATO seems to be like any other bureaucracy, hellbent upon self-perpetuation regardless of whether, or not, there's a mission.

(That mission might be an excuse for the US to keep a hand in European foreign affairs.)

Neither do I know why the US has troops in Europe anymore, but we do. All I can think of is that it's easier than having them in the US, a reasonable duty station for some folks. You know, when money was an issue, Russia brought home it's folks from a lot of former colonies.

Well, and Europ is a jump-off points for elsewhere, I guess, but until recently no one wanted to attack anyone else.

Arf