The U.K. is in it, but Ire. is not (4 letters)

{ Answer }

NATO

{ Related Clues }

Alliance acronym
Def. alliance
Defender of the West
Defense acronym
Force in Eur.
Intl. group
Intl. pact
Major alliance
Pact acronym
Peacekeeping grp.
SEATO cousin
Treaty org.
Western alliance
Western pact
W.W. II offshoot
Alliance since '49
Brussels-based grp.
Former Haig command
Grp. with peacekeeping forces
Its HQ is in Brussels
Org. created in 1949
Org. established in 1949
Peace-keeping grp.
SHAPE is part of it
Western alliance acronym
Org. formed to contain Communism
Spain joined it in 1982

{ Tags }

acronym, alliance, based, brussels, cold, defense, force, forces, gp, grp, hq, it, its, nato, org, pact, since, treaty, war, western, 1949

{ Notes }

The answer NATO is seen frequently, appearing about once every 60 puzzles.

{ Definition }

NATO as a noun:

1. (North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO) = an international organization created in 1949 by the North Atlantic Treaty for purposes of collective security