Final answer:
The NATO Medal is awarded for 30 days of service in the area of operations. NATO, established in 1949 for collective defense, has expanded post-Cold War, including through involvement in the Yugoslavian conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The NATO Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served in support of NATO operations. The eligibility criteria include serving either 30 days (consecutive or cumulative) in the territory and airspace of the former Republic of Yugoslavia and the Adriatic Sea or serving in the area of operations for 30 days.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, more commonly known as NATO, was originally formed in 1949 and consisted of the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations. Its purpose was to secure European allies against Soviet aggression by offering collective defense, which, as per Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, meant that an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all. With the end of the Cold War, NATO has expanded to include former Eastern Bloc countries, indicating its continued relevance in the realm of international security.
NATO's most significant involvement in the former Yugoslavia began in 1995, leading to the Dayton Accords and an air campaign in 1999 against Yugoslavia to prevent attacks on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. These crises illustrate NATO's ongoing commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Europe.