[bereanway]

Would NATO then even have a reason for being if Russia became a member?

One of Russia’s goals is to drive a wedge between Europe and the US so they can deal with the spineless EU as opposed to NATO. From the vantage point of AMerican interests this makes no sense.

[richardtavor]

Great question. That is why Russia is resisting, but Obama is pushing...Do you remember the anguish our on troops faced when having to obey NATO orders generated by non Americans?

[FreedomCalls]

Would NATO then even have a reason for being if Russia became a member?

NATO stopped "having a reason for being" back when the Warsaw Pact was dissolved, Germany reunited, and the Soviet Union ceased to exist. It's long past it's 'sell by' date and should have been dissolved long ago.

[AndyJackson]

Would NATO then even have a reason for being if Russia became a member?

NATO stopped having a reason for existing as a military alliance when the Berlin Wall came down. However, it is a large bureaucracy offering very nice salaries and perquisites to eurobureaucrats (Americans can apply) for doing nothing much.

Anyone who asks why we cannot just close it down and send the kiddies home needs to reflect on just how successful the close the Department of Education movement is here. The only solution is a modern day Attila the Hun.