What is NATO, why does it still exist, and how does it work? [2020 version]

Summary

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established post-WWII to maintain peace in Europe and ensure member cooperation and freedom against Soviet threats. Founded in 1949 with 12 members, it now has 30, promoting collective defense and dialogue. Adapting to new security challenges, NATO has expanded its role to include international crisis management, combating terrorism, and addressing global threats like cyber-attacks and migration. It operates on consensus, with member states contributing to shared defense and operational costs.

Takeaways

• 🏰 **Founded Post-WWII**: NATO was established to maintain peace in Europe and counter Soviet threats.
• 🤝 **Collective Defense**: The treaty commits members to mutual defense, with an attack on one considered an attack on all.
• 🗽 **Democratic Principles**: Members are committed to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.
• 🌐 **Global Cooperation**: NATO promotes dialogue and cooperation across the Atlantic.
• 📈 **Membership Growth**: From 12 members in 1949, NATO has expanded to 30 members, embracing shared values and contributions to security.
• 🔄 **Adapting to Change**: Despite the end of the Cold War, NATO has continued to evolve, taking on new tasks and adapting to new security challenges.
• 🌎 **Expanded Partnerships**: NATO has developed relations with non-member countries, including former adversaries, to promote security.
• 🛡️ **Crisis Management**: Post-Cold War, NATO has played a key role in international crisis management, such as in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
• 🚨 **Contemporary Threats**: NATO faces a broader range of threats including assertive Russia, instability in the Middle East and Africa, and non-traditional security challenges.
• 🔄 **Reinforcing Defense**: NATO is enhancing its deterrence and defense in response to current security challenges.
• 🤝 **Collaborative Security**: NATO works with a network of partners to tackle global security issues that no single country can handle alone.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of the North Atlantic Alliance when it was founded?

The primary purpose of the North Atlantic Alliance, founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, was to secure peace in Europe, promote cooperation among its members, and guard their freedom, all in the context of countering the threat posed by the Soviet Union.

In what year was the founding treaty of NATO signed?

The founding treaty of NATO was signed in Washington in 1949.

How many countries signed the NATO treaty at its inception?

A dozen European and North American countries signed the NATO treaty at its inception.

What does the NATO treaty commit its member countries to?

The NATO treaty commits its member countries to democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law, and peaceful resolution of disputes.

What does the concept of collective defense mean within NATO?

Collective defense within NATO means that an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies.

How has NATO evolved since the end of the Cold War?

Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has shifted its focus and taken on new tasks. It has responded to changes in the security environment by promoting security through partnership and cooperation, developing relations with non-member countries, and taking on an important role in international crisis management.

How many members does NATO have today?

Today, NATO has 30 members.

What are the criteria for a country to become a member of NATO?

A prospective member country must share NATO's core values and have the capacity and willingness to contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

What is one of NATO's fundamental tasks today?

One of NATO's fundamental tasks today is working with non-member countries and other organizations to ensure collective defense and security.

How does NATO contribute to international crisis management?

NATO contributes to international crisis management by working closely with partner countries, deploying forces to areas of conflict, leading air campaigns, and cooperating to prevent piracy and terrorism.

What are some of the current security challenges that NATO is addressing?

NATO is addressing a range of current security challenges including Russia's assertiveness and military build-up near its borders, the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and Africa, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, cyber attacks, threats to energy supplies, and environmental challenges with security implications.

How does the decision-making process work within NATO?

Decisions within NATO are taken by consensus in the North Atlantic Council, expressing the collective will of all the nations.

How does NATO finance its operations and headquarters?

Each member contributes a small percentage of its national defense budget to NATO, which pays for running the political and operational headquarters in Belgium, the integrated military command structure across NATO territory, and some of the costs of shared military capabilities, systems, and facilities.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Origins and Evolution of NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established post-World War II to ensure peace in Europe, foster cooperation, and defend member nations' freedom against the Soviet Union. Founded in 1949 with 12 member countries, NATO's treaty emphasizes democratic values, individual liberty, and the rule of law, with a focus on collective defense. Over time, NATO has expanded to 30 members, adapting to new security challenges. It has engaged in international crisis management, developed partnerships with non-member countries, and tackled modern threats like cyber attacks and terrorism.

05:04

🤝 NATO's Decision-Making and Cost-Sharing

NATO operates on the principles of consensus and consultation, with all member countries represented in the North Atlantic Council. Decisions are made unanimously, reflecting collective will. There is no centralized NATO army; national forces remain under national command but can be contributed to NATO operations. Each member state funds its own forces and contributes a portion of its defense budget to NATO for running headquarters and military command structures. NATO's collaborative approach enhances security at a lower cost than if each country acted alone.

Keywords

💡North Atlantic Alliance

The North Atlantic Alliance refers to NATO, a political and military alliance established in 1949 to provide collective security against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The Alliance's founding treaty was signed by 12 European and North American countries, committing them to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. The script mentions that NATO's purpose was to secure peace in Europe and guard the freedom of its members.

💡Collective Defence

Collective Defence is a core principle of NATO, meaning that an attack against one Ally is considered an attack against all. This concept is crucial for understanding NATO's role in maintaining peace and security among its member countries. The script states that the treaty sets out the idea of collective defence, ensuring that the security of European member countries is inseparably linked to that of North American member countries.

💡NATO

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is the military alliance that emerged from the North Atlantic Alliance. It is central to the video's narrative as it has evolved from a Cold War-era defense against the Soviet Union to a modern organization engaged in crisis management and international security. The script discusses NATO's history, its expansion to 30 members, and its ongoing role in ensuring peace and security.

💡Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. The script mentions that NATO was primarily focused on collective defense during the Cold War, which defined the Alliance for its first four decades.

💡Soviet Union

The Soviet Union, also known as the USSR, was a key geopolitical adversary during the Cold War and a primary reason for NATO's formation. The script refers to the Soviet Union as the threat that NATO was designed to counter, highlighting its historical significance in shaping NATO's early purpose and strategy.

💡Partnership and Cooperation

Partnership and Cooperation are highlighted in the script as ways NATO promotes security beyond its member states. Since the early 1990s, NATO has developed relations with non-member countries, including former adversaries, to foster a secure and stable international environment. The script mentions that working with non-member countries and other organizations is now considered one of NATO's fundamental tasks.

💡International Crisis Management

International Crisis Management is a role that NATO has taken on since the end of the Cold War, as mentioned in the script. This involves working closely with partner countries to end wars and build sustainable peace, as exemplified by NATO's involvement in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Libya.

💡Security Challenges

Security Challenges are a recurring theme in the script, referring to the various threats that NATO addresses, such as the assertiveness of Russia, the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and Africa, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. These challenges necessitate NATO's ongoing adaptation and its efforts to reinforce deterrence and defense.

💡Consensus

Consensus is a fundamental decision-making process within NATO, as highlighted in the script. All member countries are represented in the North Atlantic Council, where decisions are taken unanimously, reflecting the collective will of all nations. This process is integral to NATO's functioning and underscores the importance of unity and agreement among member states.

💡National Command

National Command indicates that each NATO member's military forces remain under their national control, as stated in the script. While NATO coordinates and plans joint operations, national forces are not under a centralized NATO command. This concept is crucial for understanding the autonomy of NATO member states in military matters.

💡Shared Military Capabilities

Shared Military Capabilities refer to the resources, systems, and facilities that NATO members contribute to and use collectively. The script explains that national contributions fund the operational headquarters and the integrated military command structure, as well as some of the costs for shared capabilities needed for communication and logistical support during NATO operations.

Highlights

The North Atlantic Alliance was founded post-WWII to secure peace in Europe and counter Soviet threat.

NATO's founding treaty was signed in 1949 by 12 European and North American countries.

NATO commits to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.

Collective defence is a core principle: an attack on one Ally is considered an attack on all.

NATO ensures European and North American member countries' security is inseparably linked.

NATO provides a forum for dialogue and cooperation across the Atlantic.

NATO started with 12 members in 1949 and allows other European nations to join with consensus.

Today, NATO has 30 members, stronger and safer together.

NATO has ensured peace within its territory for seven decades.

The Cold War defined NATO's first four decades with collective defence as its main role.

Despite the end of the Cold War, NATO continues to exist and adapt to new security environments.

NATO has shifted focus and taken on new tasks in response to changes in security environment.

NATO promotes security through partnership and cooperation with non-member countries.

NATO has developed relations with non-member countries, including former Cold War adversaries.

Working with non-member countries and international organizations is a fundamental task of NATO.

NATO plays a significant role in international crisis management post-Cold War.

NATO helped end war and build sustainable peace in the Balkans.

NATO and partners deployed forces to Afghanistan post-9/11 to help bring stability.

NATO led an air campaign over Libya during the Arab Spring to protect civilians.

NATO and partners prevent piracy off the Horn of Africa and fight terrorism in the Mediterranean.

NATO supports international efforts to stem illegal migration and human trafficking.

NATO faces a broader range of threats including Russia's assertiveness and the Middle East's security deterioration.

NATO reinforces deterrence and defence posture while supporting international stability efforts.

NATO works with partners to tackle challenges like WMD proliferation, cyber attacks, and energy threats.

NATO's decision-making process is based on consensus and consultation.

There is no NATO army; national forces are under national command.

Each NATO member state pays for its own armed forces and covers deployment costs.

NATO members contribute a percentage of their defence budget to fund NATO's operations.

NATO's multinational capability projects are funded by groups of Allies.

NATO's joint planning, exercises, and deployments ensure soldiers from different nations can work together effectively.

Transcripts

The North Atlantic Alliance was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Its purpose was to secure peace in Europe,

to promote cooperation among its members, and to guard their freedom -

all of this in the context of countering the threat posed at the time by the Soviet Union.

The Alliance's founding treaty was signed in Washington in 1949

by a dozen European and North American countries.

It commits the Allies to democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law,

as well as to peaceful resolution of disputes.

Importantly, the treaty sets out the idea of collective defence,

meaning that an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization - or NATO -

ensures that the security of its European member countries

is inseparably linked to that of its North American member countries.

The Organization also provides a unique forum for dialogue and cooperation across the Atlantic.

The Alliance started with 12 member countries in 1949.

However, the founding treaty allows of other European nations

to join the Alliance, as long as all existing Allies agree.

Any prospective member must share NATO's core values

and have the capacity and willingness to contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Today, NATO has 30 members, who are stronger and safer together.

For seven decades, NATO has ensured peace within its territory.

While threats, and the way NATO deals with them, have evolved over time,

the purpose, values and founding principles of the Alliance do not change.

For its first four decades, the Cold War defined the Alliance -

collective defence was NATO's main role.

When that confrontation ended in 1989

and with the collapse of the Soviet Union,

some said that NATO had fulfilled its purpose,

that it was no longer needed.

And yet the Alliance is still here today.

So why has NATO stood the test of time?

The end of the Cold War offered hope for progress and peace,

but it also ushered in a new era of instability.

NATO has responded to changes in the security environment

by shifting its focus and taking on new tasks.

Beyond ensuring the collective defence of its members,

NATO seeks to promote security through partnership and cooperation.

Since the early 1990s, the Alliance has developed relations with non-member countries -

including former Cold War adversaries of the former 'Eastern Bloc'.

Some of these partners have since become members of the Alliance.

Today, working with non-member countries and other organisations

is considered to be one of NATO's fundamental tasks.

It works with 40 partner countries as well as with other international organisations,

like the United Nations and the European Union.

NATO has taken on an important role in international crisis management

since the end of the Cold War.

Working closely with partner countries,

the Alliance helped to end war and build sustainable peace in the Balkans.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States,

Allies and partners deployed forces to Afghanistan to help bring stability.

During the Arab Spring,

NATO led an air campaign over Libya

to protect civilians being targeted by the Qadhafi dictatorship.

At sea, NATO and its partners have helped to prevent piracy off the Horn of Africa

and are cooperating to fight terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea.

NATO has also supported international efforts to stem illegal migration

and human trafficking in the Aegean Sea.

Today, we face a much broader range of threats than in the past.

To the East, Russia has become more assertive with the illegal annexation of Crimea

and destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, as well as its military build-up close to NATO's borders.

To the South, the security situation in the Middle East and Africa has deteriorated,

causing loss of life, fuelling large-scale migration flows and inspiring terrorist attacks.

NATO is responding by reinforcing its deterrence and defence posture,

as well as as supporting international efforts to project stability

and strengthen security outside NATO territory.

We are also confronted with the spread of weapons of mass destruction,

cyber attacks and threats to energy supplies

as well as environmental challenges with security implications.

These challenges are too big for any one country or organisation to handle on its own,

so NATO is working closely with its network of partners to help tackle them.

While NATO continues to adapt to changes in the security environment,

the fundamentals of how it works haven't changed.

Consensus and consultation are part of NATO's DNA.

All member countries are represented in the North Atlantic Council,

where decisions are taken by consensus - meaning unanimously -

expressing the collective will of all the nations.

There is no NATO army. National forces are under national command.

When called upon,

Allied nations volunteer their troops,

equipment or other capabilities to NATO-led operations and exercises.

Each member state pays for its own armed forces, and covers the costs of deploying its forces.

But together, the Allies get a lot more security for a lot less cost

than they would if they had to do it alone.

Each member contributes a small percentage of its national defence budget to NATO.

The national contributions pay for running the political and operational headquarters in Belgium,

as well as the integrated military command structure across NATO territory.

They also cover some of the costs of shared military capabilities,

systems and facilities needed for communication, command and control,

or for logistical support to NATO operations.

Other multinational capability projects are funded by groups of Allies.

Thanks to years of joint planning, exercises and deployments,

soldiers from different nations can work well together when the need arises.

Working together, the Allies are stronger.