The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in 1949 as a collective defense alliance for post-World War II Western Europe. It was intended to counter the perceived threat presented by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European alliance, the Warsaw Pact. Across NATO’s lifespan, significant peaceful cataclysmic events have altered the political landscape of Europe. These events have caused many Europeans, and Americans, to pose the question: “What is the future of NATO and why do we still need the Alliance?” This presentation will trace the growth and evolution of the Alliance and provide answers to the “why” and “what” potentially lies ahead for NATO.