NATO

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance established on April 4, 1949. It comprises member states from North America and Europe, formed primarily for mutual defense against aggression. The core principle of NATO is collective defense, as enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an armed attack against one or more members is considered an attack against all. NATO operates through a system of collective security, whereby independent countries agree to consult and cooperate in defense matters. The organization has evolved over the decades from its initial focus on the Soviet threat during the Cold War to addressing a range of global security issues, including terrorism, cybersecurity, and crisis management. As of 2023, NATO has expanded to include 31 member countries and continues to play a significant role in international security and defense collaboration.