NATO

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949. It consists of member countries from North America and Europe that agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party. The organization was formed primarily to ensure collective security and promote stability in the North Atlantic region during the Cold War era and has since evolved to address modern security challenges. NATO’s principle of collective defense is encapsulated in Article 5 of its founding treaty, where an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all members. The alliance also engages in various cooperative efforts, including crisis management, partnerships with non-member countries, and promoting democratic values among its members.