To defend Russian interests when the world order is changing, it is necessary to understand alternative approaches, especially which are aimed at maintaining Western centricity. In this regard it is important to evaluate the growth and usage of NATO`s power. The article examines the dynamics of the Alliance's capabilities to ensure its presence outside the area of ​​responsibility since the mid-1990s. The author presents the typology and the periodisation of this process. Methodically the theory of alliances and the theory of armed forces` building are used. The article explores NATO`s functioning taking into account the dialectic of relations between the United States and the largest European member states on NATO`s usage outside the Euro-Atlantic community. As indicators of practical priorities change in NATO`s activities the article explores the evolutions of Alliance`s groups outside zone of responsibility (dominance and then disappearance of the combat use of Air Force, non-forceful use of ground forces in favour of military instructors, advisers and creation of the network of political offices). From trying to become a security provider for the countries of origin of an armed conflict, the Alliance began to return to the traditional task to “deter” opponents (Russia, also China and Iran).

The key forms of NATO`s presence outside the zone of responsibility in the mid 1990s – early 2010s were the air force operations and large-scale non-combat peacekeeping missions (in the Balkans and Afghanistan). The article explores their features, “narrow places”. Special attention is paid to the de-facto “strategic shock” for the USA from the inability to involve NATO in the land campaign in Iraq (2003), the air force operation in Syria (2013), and the consequences of this. In the 2010-s NATO has revealed the focus on the participation in the reform of security sector. By the mid 2020-s the clear has become the tendency of the politisation of presence forms. The author thinks how the trend is related to the confrontation with Russia and NATO`s difficulties in conflict settlement. The paper explores contemporary and perspective forms of the Alliance`s presence near the area of ​​responsibility (in the Arctic, post-Soviet space, Western Balkans) and far from it, including the Near East. It is important to determine the group of states and regional structures which have been key partners for NATO in its involvement in “containment” of the PRC. In the 2020s NATO has been using its political capabilities more actively, geographically sharply, is setting the conditions for the use of military tools in modernised forms.

This article was submitted 10.10.2024