NATO EXPANSION VIEWED FROM A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE Liu Jinghua, Niu Jun, Jiang Yi (27) The paper tries to interpret the causes and impact of the eastward expansion of the NATO from the dual histro-cultural and geo-political perspective. It covers five parts: 1. The framework of theoretical analysis. In the current international relations, geo-political theory and the theory of civilizational features are combined to become the mainstream paradigm which is exercising ever increasing impacts on diplomacy; 2. The strategic choice of the West. It discusses the major grounds on which the major members of the NATO support its eastward expansion and their differences; 3; The United States and the eastward expansion of the NATO. The basic ideas of the United States concerning the post-Cold War period and its strategic considerations are the major motives behind U.S.'s support for the eastward expansion of the NATO; 4. The Russian factors in the expansion of the NATO. It discusses the basic stand and response of Russia and the in-depth causes for such a response; and 5. Eastern Europe and NATO eastward expansion. It discusses the major causes for the active response of Central and Eastern European countries.