Central Treaty Organization
The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), originally known as the Baghdad Pact, was established in 1955 and modeled after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The primary intent of CENTO was to create a regional alliance among its member countries to ensure mutual cooperation and protection against the growing influence of the Soviet Union (USSR). Member nations aimed to establish a strong defensive line, often referred to as the 'Northern Tier,' to impede Soviet expansion into Middle Eastern territories. Unlike NATO, however, CENTO did not maintain a centralized military command structure, which limited its operational effectiveness. While the United States had some intelligence facilities in Iran, and U-2 reconnaissance flights were conducted from bases in Pakistan, there's a notable absence of extensive military presence in the member countries, which ultimately impacted the organization's cohesion....