What is NATO and how much do members spend on defence?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 European and North American countries. It was established in 1949 with the principal aim of ensuring the security and defense of its member states through collective defense.

One of the key principles of NATO is the concept of collective defense, meaning that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members, and all members are required to respond to the aggression accordingly.

NATO members are expected to maintain a certain level of defense spending to contribute to the overall security of the alliance. In 2014, member countries pledged to work towards spending at least 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense by 2024.

As of 2021, only 9 out of the 30 NATO members have met the 2% target, with the United States being the largest contributor accounting for the majority of NATO’s defense spending. Other major contributors include the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

The disparity in defense spending among NATO members has been a point of contention, with some countries being criticized for not fulfilling their financial commitments to the alliance. However, NATO continues to play a crucial role in maintaining peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region.

Overall, NATO serves as a key pillar of collective security for its member states, promoting stability and deterrence in an increasingly complex and uncertain global security environment.