Which of the following international organizations does the UK belong to?
Okay, let's break down why the UK belongs to NATO and the Commonwealth. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance formed in 1949 after World War II. Its main purpose was, and still is, to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries through political and military means. The UK was a founding member, recognizing the importance of collective defense against potential threats. Think of it as a security pact where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Now, the Commonwealth is a completely different beast. It's a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, almost all of which were formerly part of the British Empire. It promotes cooperation in various areas like trade, culture, and democracy. The UK's historical role as the head of the British Empire is why it's a key member of the Commonwealth. NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, is a trade agreement between the US, Canada, and Mexico, so geographically, the UK doesn't fit in. The Arab League is an organization of Arab states located in North Africa and the Middle East, so again, the UK doesn't fit geographically or culturally.
Remember, the UK is not part of North America but has a history of imperialism which connects it to Commonwealth countries.