Within the past year, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been in the news and in discussions on an international stage. As one of the best known Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), NATO's role as a political and military alliance between 31 North American and European countries is crucial.
What is NATO?
After the tragedies of World War II and the growing threat of the Soviet Union in the 1940s, European and North American countries came together and signed the Washington Treaty in 1949. The treaty formed NATO and committed the Allies to "democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law."
NATO's most important players are the 31 member countries that are committed to "further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area." They member countries are:
- Political and Military Alliance
- NATO has a purpose to "guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means."
- Collective Defense
- Enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, collective defense commits that an attack against one of its members, is considered an attack against all members.
- Transatlantic Link
- Because it is an alliance between European and North American countries, NATO has a unique link that enables the two continents to work together.
- 2022 Strategic Concept
- The 2022 Concept confirms NATO's purpose in deterrence and defense, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.
The common NATO activities are:
- Decisions and Consultations
- Operations and Missions
- Partnerships
- Developing the means to respond to threats
NATO has been involved in a variety of situations worldwide from World War II to the current Russian-Ukraine invasion. During the Cold War, NATO was a critical player. Their involvement ranged from creating a school for the children of NATO families in France during this era, hosting a mobile information center around Europe, and dealt with spies targeting them.
- enhance intelligence sharing and co-operation
- provide assistance to Allies and other states which are subject to increase terrorist threats
- take measures to provide increased security for facilities for the U.S.
- provide overflight clearances for aircrafts
You can also view the Article 5 press statement from the NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson in 2001.
Currently, NATO's involvement has been prominent in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, even though Ukraine is not a NATO state. Since the 1990s, Ukraine and NATO have had one of the most substantial NATO partnerships as a NATO partner country. Since the invasion has begun, NATO has condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine and calls on Russia to stop the war and withdraw its forces. NATO: What We Do
NATO Allies conduct various exercises to test their capabilities and working together in crisis situations. They aim to prepare commands and forces for operations in times of peace, crisis, and conflict. They form their actions on a fictitious scenario that can last for a variety of time periods.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, NATO is committed to adapting to addressing those issues. NATO has 24 hour Cyber Rapid Reaction teams if needed, cooperates through the NATO Industry Cyber Partnerships, and have their own network protection called the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability.
The Women, Peace, and Security agenda was created in October 2000 with the principles of integration, inclusiveness, and integrity. WPS plays a role in shaping policy and practice and has implemented NATO Gender Advisors in military structures and in all operations and missions. NATO also has a Committee on Gender Perspectives that promote the integration of gender.
NATO has been working on environmental security for decades. NATO has disaster relief support, focuses on environmental factors that affect energy supplies, and is looking for more to improve energy efficiency. In 2021, NATO adopted a Climate Change and Security Action Plan to address the role of climate change with politics.
OSU Resources
Oklahoma State University's library has a set of resources regarding NATO. They include:
- TNO34 North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- TNO34 AD17 North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Advisory Group for Aeronautical Research and Development
- TNO34 IN9 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Information Service
- TNO34 SU17 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Additional Resources
Browse and view through the index of NATO topics.
Look at declassified and publicly disclosed information.
Read and view all of NATO's news releases.
_________________________________________________________
Eager to know more? Start here.
Government Information Online is produced by the staff at the Oklahoma State University Libraries Government Documents Department, a regional depository for U.S. Government and Oklahoma state government documents. We are located on the 5th floor of the Edmon Low Library. Our department website can be reached at www.info.library.okstate.edu/government-documents. For more information or for research assistance, contact us at 405.744.6546. or email suzanne.reinman@okstate.edu
Comments