How NATO Works

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Introduction to How NATO Works

Photo courtesy NATO
NATO's flag and symbol

NATO is an organization that you hear about in the news all the time. What is NATO, where did it come from and what does it do?

If you have ever wondered about this powerful organization, then this article will help you learn about an important part of the world's political landscape. You'll get a basic overview of NATO and its purpose, as well as a series of links to explore for further information.

What is NATO?

Photo courtesy NATO
NATO flag-raising ceremony at Place des Invalides, Paris, France, 1953

NATO (pronounced NAY'-TOE) is an acronym for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is an alliance of countries that work together to implement the North Atlantic Treaty.

The original signers of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949, and therefore the original members of NATO, were:

Belgium
Canada
Denmark
France
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
United Kingdom
United States

Photo courtesy NATO
NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Greece and Turkey joined NATO in 1952. West Germany joined in 1955 (spawning the Warsaw Pact). Spain joined in 1982. In 1999, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary were invited into NATO as well. There are currently 19 member nations.

The Warsaw Pact The Warsaw Pact was a treaty, similar to NATO's, signed in 1955. The member nations were the Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania. The Warsaw Pact ended in 1991.

The North Atlantic Treaty

The North Atlantic Treaty was written and signed in 1949. It arose because of the growing strength of the Soviet Union after World War II (which ended in 1945). Right after the war, the Soviet Union consolidated itself under communism and strengthened its armies. At the same time, Europe was exhausted and in shambles. The United States implemented the Marshall Plan in 1948 to help rebuild Europe, but the European countries would not have the strength to fight against the Soviets. The United States and Canada would be needed to provide the force necessary to counter any attack from the Soviet Union.

The North Atlantic Treaty was written to bond the United States, Canada and Europe together in case the Soviets attacked any of them. The treaty states that if any of the member nations is attacked, all of the nations signing the treaty will respond to the attack together. Therefore, any attack anywhere on North America or Europe would cause a very large response.

The treaty itself is not very long -- click here to read it. A key section of the treaty is Article 5, which states:

The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

Article 9 states how decisions will be made by NATO:

The Parties hereby establish a Council, on which each of them shall be represented, to consider matters concerning the implementation of this Treaty. The Council shall be so organised as to be able to meet promptly at any time.

See Who is who at NATO? to learn about the officers and representatives who participate in NATO decision-making.

NATO maintains a variety of bases, airfields and missile systems in Europe to provide for a response in case of attack.

Photo courtesy NATO
NATO air fleet:
AWACS (Airborne Warning & Control System) aircraft

NATO forces are made up of military personnel from all of the member nations, and are overseen by the Supreme Allied Commander (currently General James L. Jones of the United States).

NATO Today
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact in the early 1990s, NATO's original mission was complete. NATO has therefore been redefining itself over time. The NATO efforts in Yugoslavia in the late 1990s were a NATO initiative designed to keep peace in Europe.

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