When you say or mention NATO many things may come up. For example, there are a lot of things in the news recently with current events that may make you ask what this organization is exactly.
If you are curious about NATO, which is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Learn more about this organization that is more than just associated with the Soviet Union.
The world’s balance of peace and power has been strongly influenced by NATO. But, what is it exactly? Why is NATO important? But, what is interesting is that the United States spends more on defense than the rest of NATO, but this does not matter. NATO has a large influence and holds a lot of power for better or worse.
Learn more about NATO with these fascinating and informative facts.
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization and has various Objectives
Initially, NATO started in 1949 to give and offer help for security against the security threats by the former Soviet Union. NATO’s main goal is to protect the freedom and security of every member state by political and military ways.
NATO forces have regularly delivered and offered humanitarian aid. Moreover, it meant that NATO played a big role to help and stabilize regions, especially the USA. NATO was dedicated to the peaceful solution and treaties to conflicts.
As well, NATO was able to offer help after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In addition, NATO was helpful afterwards during natural disasters like earthquakes especially when there was a disaster in Pakistan.
back to menu ↑NATO originally has 12 Member States involved that have grown
The original alliance or group of countries that made up NATO are the following: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Today, NATO has expanded well beyond its borders. Today NATO includes Greece and Turkey joining in 1952. As well, in 1982, Spain joined along with later on in the 1990s the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
Recently, NATO has expanded even more including Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia (2004); Albania and Croatia Montenegro, and North Macedonia
back to menu ↑Article 5 is one of the most important aspects of NATO
Article 5 is a wonderful and very important part of NATO. Basically, this article means that an attack on any member of NATO is an attack on all of the members of NATO.
NATO has only utilized and put forward Article 5 once in its history so far. For instance, it was NATO’s response to the terrorist attacks of 9-11 in New York. This a landmark move by NATO to try and establish a directive to mobilize in times of aggression and terrosim.
Originally, Article 5 of NATO was established when Communist factions were clear threats to democracies of Europe and North America. The Soviet Union was a great fear for many so Article 5 became integral to NATO.
back to menu ↑NATO fights terrorism in Europe and around the world
Yes, it is true. NATO fights terrorism around the world not just Europe. One of NATO’s main goals is to play a vital duty in fighting terrorism. In the past, NATO has given and contributed around 15,000 NATO troops in past events.
For example, NATO trained and provided cities in Afghanistan with military support. In a more public role, NATO also helped train to help defeat and control ISIS, which stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Within Europe itself, NATO fights terrorism especially in Germany and other key areas.
In general, Terrorism creates a clear threat to the security of the people of NATO countries. Therefore, NATO is clearly a military force of the world and not just Europe.
back to menu ↑NATO in 2001 initiated and gave public support for war
NATO is not an organization known for starting wars. There was a large amount of pressure put on the USA after 9-11 in 2001, but it did mean that the rest of the world had to react.
Eventually it happened that NATO created and put into play aggression. It was on September 12, 2001, the day after the terrorist attacks that things heat up. Article 5 by NATO meant that there would be a response to the attacks with military buildup.
In summary, it was NATO that went ahead after a massive terrorism event. NATO pledged and put forward support of all of the NATO allies in the campaign to fight against international terrorism.
back to menu ↑NATO blocked the USA and makes a big statement
The USA being the biggest country in the world is used to getting their way. However, it did not get its way on February 10, 2003.
What transpired was that France, Germany and Belgium blocked a request. On the heels of US aggression and plans in the Middle East, NATO decided to act against the USA.
It was a request from the USA for NATO to provide Patriot missiles. Unfortunately, NATO acted against this request. Basically, the American military made a request to act against Iraq, which created another reaction and situation. Article 5 of the NATO charter mandated protection against or prevention of threats as a whole to any member nation. The USA had been enough of a threat to Turkey at this point thus insisting on Article 5.
back to menu ↑NATO does security for the Olympics in 2004
NATO has done a lot of different things for security but the Olympics is not a common event for this organization. It was in 2004 during the Olympics in Greece that NATO was omnipresent.
At Greece’s request, NATO began and did work with the “Distinguished Games” for the Olympics. The government at the time in Greece wanted to guarantee the safety of the 2004 Paralympic Games.
NATO’s presence and introduction at the Olympics was a big occasion. This Olympics was different in every aspect. NATO made big efforts to guarantee and make a big presence for this event. Moreover, the Greek Government trusted NATO to have full responsibility for the complete Olympic security operation.
back to menu ↑NATO began to grow recently and gain new members
NATO grows more and more everyday especially since the recent events in Ukraine.
Moreover, the governments of Finland and Sweden made public moves to join NATO. In retrospect, it was the looming threat of Russia that caused this.
Finland and Sweden joining was provoked the anger and fury of Russia. Their strategic location is what pushed especially Finland to go ahead and seek membership in NATO.
With membership, it meant that Finland and Sweden abandoned military neutrality by being part of NATO. In June of 2022, NATO went ahead to formalize their alliance in gaining new countries.
back to menu ↑Germany, UK, and Turkey have exclusive power in NATO
Every country in NATO has a special role. For example, every member state in NATO has the same representation in every discussion. NATO States are dedicated to respecting individual freedoms. As well, the aim was to push democracy, human rights and the rule of law in general.
In terms of the power base, in particular the UK, Germany, and Turkey had special access and power control. For example, there is an Air Force Command Center in Germany. This gives a good location being that Germany is closer to Russia and right next to Eastern Europe.
Moreover, there is a Center for Land Forces in Izmir, Turkey. This is especially strategic because of how it is within the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Lastly, there is a Navy command center in Northwood, UK, which does a lot of important work.
back to menu ↑NATO helped to end a genocide and massacre in the Slavic area of Europe
There was a lot of instability in the former Yugoslavia, which went through a violent breakup. In 1999, NATO was instrumental in trying to squash and end the massacre in this Slavic part of Europe.
The 1990s ended with a lot of instability in what was once Yugoslavia. The area today of Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia had a lot of violent encounters between different groups and tribes.
Lastly, the expulsion of ethnic Albanians from Kosovo was the point that created the need for NATO. It was only NATO, with its military force, to have the ability to stop these ethnic conflicts. Moreover, it was NATO troops that went ahead to operate in Kosovo under a UN mandate. Finally, NATO did end the targeted killing of certain groups in this part of Europe.
