As a product of the Cold War, after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, NATO continued to expand, resulting in increasing internal contradictions and declining cohesion. Could NATO's future development be plain sailing? And what variables might exist?
Fighter jets fly in complex weather A J-11 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Northern Theater Command flies through the clear sky during a flight training exercise in complex weather on the early morning of March 22, 2019.
Anti-chemical troops help to clean up damaged chemical plants in east China Soldiers in protective clothing rush to the core area of the explosion on March 21st, 2019. They are assigned to the engineer and anti-chemical detachments under the People's Armed Police Force（PAPF）in east China’s Jiangsu Province.
AEW aircraft conducts early warning detection training A KJ-200 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft attached to an aviation division with the navy of the PLA Northern Theater Command flies in the sky during a round-the-clock flight training exercise in late March, 2019.
Fighter jets taxi in line on the runway before takeoff Fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Southern Theater Command taxi in line on the flightline before takeoff for a round-the-clock combat sortie on March 20, 2019.
Infantryman drives armored vehicle through mud puddle An armored personnel carrier attached to a brigade under the PLA 73rd Group Army wades through a mud puddle during a field driving skills training exercise on March 18, 2019.
Routine maintenance on JH-7 fighter bombers in Inner Mongolia A JH-7 fighter bomber taxies onto the flightline after receiving the approval to takeoff during a recent flight training exercise at Hulun Buir Grassland in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Paratroopers practice parachute skills Paratroopers assigned to a brigade under the PLA air force's airborne troops prepare to pack their parachutes for a parachute training exercise on March 15, 2019.
Preflight systems check before launching Maintenance men assigned to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Western Theater Command perform a preflight systems check before launching a fighter jet for an early morning training sortie on March 15, 2019.
J-11B fighter jet conducts night flight training A J-11B fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade of the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command taxis on the runway before takeoff for a night flight training exercise on March 12, 2019.
Naval vessels conduct replenishment-at-sea in East China Sea The guided-missile destroyer Xi'an (Hull 153, L) and the comprehensive supply ship Chaohu (Hull 890, R) steam alongside with each other in preparation for a replenishment-at-sea during a recent maritime patrol mission in waters of the East China Sea.
