Since the end of the Cold War , NATO has forged new partnerships which can help it share this new burden . NATO officials rethink the alliance 's role in a world of terrorists and war . Founded 61 years ago , NATO dealt with Cold War era threats for most of those years . Afghanistan war is NATO 's largest ` ` out of area '' mission to date . NATO also benefit from its growing , but still uneasy , relationship with Russia .
NATO officials rethink the alliance 's role in a world of terrorists and war . Founded 61 years ago , NATO dealt with Cold War era threats for most of those years . Afghanistan war is NATO 's largest ` ` out of area '' mission to date . NATO also benefit from its growing , but still uneasy , relationship with Russia .