Central Treaty Organization
The
Central Treaty Organization (also referred to as
CENTO, the
Middle East Treaty Organization or (
METO), or the
Baghdad Pact) was adopted in
1954 by
Iraq,
Turkey,
Pakistan, and
Iran, as well as
Great Britain and the
United States. Modeled after the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization it committed the nations to mutual cooperation and protection, as well as non-intervention in each other's affairs. It was designed in part to contain the
Soviet Union. It lasted nominally until the Iranian revolution of
1979, however had shown strains in
1965 and
1971 when Pakistan tried unsuccessfully to get assistance in its wars with
India.
