NATO 75
NATO 75
On April 4th , 2024 , a momentous occasion was marked – the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization , better known as NATO . Founded in 1949 in the wake of World War II , NATO stands as a testament to the enduring power of collective security . From its initial 12 members to its current 32 , the Alliance has fostered peace and stability across the Euro-Atlantic region , deterring aggression and promoting democratic values .
For 75 years , NATO allies , bound by a shared history and values , have worked together to keep their people safe . This strong bond between Europe and North America has made NATO the most successful military alliance in history . As NATO Secretary General , Jens Stoltenberg , so aptly put it :
NATO is a community united by our values : freedom , democracy and the rule of law .
NATO ’ s core strength , enshrined in Article 5 of its founding treaty , is its commitment to collective defence : an attack on one is considered an attack on all . This principle has served as a powerful deterrent against aggression , fostering peace and stability in Europe and the North Atlantic for decades .
For Americans , NATO ’ s commitment to collective defence should hold a particular significance . The only time Article 5 has ever been enacted was in the wake of the horrific terror attacks of September 11th , 2001 . Within a few weeks , the North Atlantic Council , NATO ’ s senior-most political decision-making body , voted unanimously to invoke this promise of collective defence and joined America ’ s effort to combat terrorism and its perpetrators .
4 SUMMER 2024 the imjin