What is NATO and Its Purpose
NATO is a group of countries that work together to keep each other safe and prevent conflicts by promising to defend one another.
Featured in the Monday, August 10 edition →
It's often said that NATO is a world government that can order its members into war—in fact, each country keeps control of its own forces and decides what action it will take under the alliance's agreements.
NATO was created to promote peace and security among its members, especially after big wars, by encouraging cooperation and collective defense to prevent future conflicts.
Imagine a group of friends who agree that if anyone tries to bully one of them, all the friends will help protect that person.
NATO shapes how its member countries plan for security, spend on defense, and respond when threats reach beyond one border. Knowing how it works helps make sense of why a problem involving one country can become a shared concern.
Imagine, hypothetically, that an armed attack hits one NATO country and its government asks the alliance to respond. The members consult and decide whether the collective-defense promise applies. If they agree that it does, each country chooses its contribution, such as sending air-defense crews, sharing intelligence, or deploying troops.
Members make decisions together
NATO countries meet, discuss concerns, and make major choices by agreement, so each member has a voice in the group’s direction.
Helping can take many forms
Support among members can include sharing information, training together, providing equipment, or protecting air and sea routes.
Partnerships extend beyond members
NATO also works with some countries that are not members to build cooperation and help them prepare for security challenges.