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2026 Spring

Nato in the 20th and 21st Century - IRS371/IRS671 Spring 2026


Course
Michaela Grancayova
For information about registration please contact our admissions.

Lessons

Here is the course outline:

1. Introductory Class

Feb 4 3pm .. 5:45pm

Introduction to the course, rules, requirements, warm-up discussion.

2. The Founding of NATO

Feb 11 3pm .. 5:45pm

NATO´s purpose, key events leading to the foundation of NATO, reasons behind the organization´s founding, NATO´s founding treaty, founding members.

3. NATO after the Cold War

Feb 18 3pm .. 5:45pm

The end of the Cold War, developments after the end of the Cold War, the reconceiving of NATO, the organization´s new purpose.

4. NATO Enlargement

Feb 25 3pm .. 5:45pm

10 rounds of NATO enlargement, conditions of membership, the accession process, Article 10, and aspirant countries.

5. NATO´s Military Operations and Missions

Mar 4 3pm .. 5:45pm

The role of NATO in military operations and missions, gender, and NATO´s military operations, the overview of the organization´s most important past and present military operations.

6. NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan

Mar 11 3pm .. 5:45pm

NATO´s presence and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, roles, reasons, results.

7. NATO´s Strategic Partnerships

Apr 18 3pm .. 5:45pm

NATO and its relations with other international organizations (UN, EU, OSCE, The African Union) and countries.

8. Midterm Test, Discussion of the Presentation Topics

Mar 25 3pm .. 5:45pm

The midterm test will consist of short essay questions to be answered independently.

9. NATO´s Relations with Ukraine and Russia

Apr 8 3pm .. 5:45pm

NATO after the start of Russia s full-scale war against Ukraine, NATO´s relations with Ukraine, NATO´s relations with Russia, fighting the Russian disinformation campaign against NATO.

10. NATO and China

Apr 15 3pm .. 5:45pm

NATO´s relations with China, challenges, possible future developments and scenarios.

11. Current Challenges and Prospects

Apr 22 3pm .. 5:45pm

Challenges that NATO currently faces, prospects for the future cooperation and the organization´s development.

12. Students´ Presentations 1

Apr 29 3pm .. 5:45pm

Presentations

13. Students´ Presentations 2

May 6 3pm .. 5:45pm

Presentations

14. Final Exam

May 13 3pm .. 5:45pm

The final exam is an oral exam based on required readings.

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