The article was concerned that NATO expanded its membership too much, that is, added too many countries too close to Russia. Presumably the concern here is tha

The article was concerned that NATO expanded its membership too much, that is, added too many countries too close to Russia. Presumably the concern here is that Russia will, then, feel more threatened by an attack from NATO. Uh, gee, guys, that concern seems not to understand maybe the more important role of NATO! Sure, first cut, it appears that the purpose of NATO is to have the European countries ban together better to defend themselves against an attack from Russia. Hmm .... But maybe a more important reason for NATO is to take all of the military forces in Europe, especially those closest to Russia, and put them under central command and control, with a big role for the US. Why? To stop another case like started WWI -- some terrorist in the long boiling Balkans shot a prince of Austria or some such. That is, the purpose of NATO is to keep a lid on the instabilities of 22 or so countries west of Russia and, thus, avoid war, protect Russia, etc. Sure, this is a joke but only partly. Or, in history, how often has Russia gone charging to the west trying to take over Sweden, Germany, or France? Or was the real threat Napoleon charging east, Germany charging east, etc.? Or, we can expect instabilities in Europe. So, we need to keep a lid on that pot. Thus, NATO! Russia? A good lid on that unstable European pot, e.g., the long boiling Balkans, is very much in Russia's interests.