North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Organization Name
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Description
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington D.C. on 4 April 1949, providing collective defense among member states.
Key Facts
- Founded: 4 April 1949 (Washington Treaty)
- Members: 32 member states (Sweden joined 2024, Finland 2023)
- Secretary-General: Mark Rutte (Netherlands, former Prime Minister), assumed office 1 October 2024
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
- Core principle: Article 5 — collective defense (an attack on one is an attack on all)
- Military command: Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) — traditionally an American general
- Key operations: Afghanistan (ISAF/RSM), Kosovo (KFOR), Baltic Air Policing, enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe
- Headquarters
- Brussels, Belgium
- Founded Year
- 1949
- Current Head/SG
- Mark Rutte
- Category
- Military