“NATO was built to counteract the Soviet Union in times of Cold War. We have no idea why it is still around and what its role should be.”

Simplified Meaning:

NATO, which stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was created to protect Western countries from the Soviet Union during the Cold War, a period of political tension after World War II. Now that the Cold War is over and the Soviet Union no longer exists, the original reason for NATO has disappeared. It's like having a fire department in a town where there hasn't been a fire for many years—people start wondering if it's still needed and what it should do next. For example, consider a club formed to address a specific problem that has since been solved; the members now must decide if they should disband or find a new purpose. Similarly, the confusion about NATO's current role reflects a broader question of how organizations should evolve when their initial mission is accomplished. Understanding this helps people think about how to adapt old systems for new challenges in their lives or communities.