Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 04:00 AM ISTहिंदी में पढें
Business Standard
Notification Icon
userprofile IconSearch
What is NATO?

NATO

About NATO

What is NATO?

Established in the aftermath of World War II, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance between 28 European countries and 2 North American countries and is headquartered in Belgium.
 
It implements the North Atlantic Treaty, which is a system of collective security, where its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.
 
The most recent member to be added was North Macedonia on March 27, 2020. Since its founding on April 4, 1949, the admission of new member states has increased the alliance from the original 12 countries to 30.

BACKGROUND
 
In
...
Read More

Latest Updates on NATO

France arms Rafale jets with laser-guided rockets for anti-drone operations

The weapon is intended to engage low-cost aerial threats, including one-way attack drones similar to the Iranian-designed Shahed family

Image
Updated On : 15 Jul 2026 | 6:45 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: Nato, remote work and economic resilience

Today's opinions examine the Nato summit, women's cash transfer schemes, global market risks after the Iran conflict, remote work and Mary Beard's exploration of the classics.

Image
Updated On : 10 Jul 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

US military presence in Europe will depend on Greenland, Iran: Trump

The US President said any decision on military deployments would depend on allies' response to his concerns over Greenland and support for Washington's Iran campaign, adding to unease within Nato

Image
Updated On : 09 Jul 2026 | 9:06 AM IST

US will give Ukraine license to produce Patriot defence systems: Trump

The US President also signalled support for stronger Nato defence spending and announced plans to remove Syria from the US terrorism list

Image
Updated On : 09 Jul 2026 | 8:48 AM IST

Datanomics: Nato common funding gets equal share from US, Germany

Germany now matches the US in NATO's common funding, but Washington continues to shoulder the majority of indirect military contributions to the alliance

Image
Updated On : 08 Jul 2026 | 11:32 PM IST

Trump says 'a lot of unity' at NATO summit after lashing allies

Trump's attacks on Spain, renewed Greenland claims and remarks on Iran overshadowed the NATO summit, despite leaders ending the meeting with a show of unity

Image
Updated On : 08 Jul 2026 | 10:51 PM IST

New US attacks on Iran were 'absolutely necessary', says Nato chief

The US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday and revoked a license allowing Tehran ‌to sell oil after three ​tankers were hit by ​projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz

Image
Updated On : 08 Jul 2026 | 12:24 PM IST

Nato leaders meet in Ankara as US ceasefire with Iran hangs in balance

European leaders are seeking to reinforce US commitment to the alliance after Trump's criticism of allies, fresh strikes on Iran and renewed claims over Greenland

Image
Updated On : 08 Jul 2026 | 12:12 PM IST

Nato showcases big arms deals in Ankara before summit with Donald Trump

At a defence industry forum in Ankara, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a series of initiatives, with the cumulative value of the deals displayed on a large screen

Image
Updated On : 07 Jul 2026 | 9:48 PM IST

Donald Trump says Greenland should be controlled by the US, not Denmark

Trump renewed calls for US control of Greenland, reviving tensions with Denmark and raising fresh questions over Arctic security and NATO relations

Image
Updated On : 07 Jul 2026 | 8:30 PM IST

Nato Chief Mark Rutte asks allies for credible defence spending plans

Spain endorsed the goal but said that it could fulfill NATO's security requirements without spending so much. Some countries are still struggling to meet the alliance's old target of 2 per cent of GDP

Image
Updated On : 06 Jul 2026 | 10:52 PM IST

Nato Summit 2026: Defence spending, Ukraine, Iran conflict dominate agenda

Trump's frequent criticism of Nato, along with announced troop withdrawals from Europe and a six-month review of the US military presence on the continent, has fuelled uncertainty within the alliance

Image
Updated On : 06 Jul 2026 | 12:12 PM IST

Trump to meet Ukraine's Zelenskyy, Syria's al-Sharaa during Nato summit

Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy comes as Russia's war in Ukraine is now in its fifth year

Image
Updated On : 06 Jul 2026 | 8:02 AM IST

Nato leaders face defence, spending and Ukraine challenges in Ankara

Nato leaders meeting in Ankara on 7-8 July will focus on defence, deterrence, burden-sharing, military spending and sustaining support for Ukraine amid evolving security challenges

Image
Updated On : 05 Jul 2026 | 10:28 PM IST

Europe has replaced most assets cut by US from Nato war plans: Official

Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe Sir John Stringer said that European members have replaced most of the assets cut from US contingency plans, calling it a sign of a stronger Europe within Nato

Image
Updated On : 04 Jul 2026 | 8:42 AM IST

Nato summit should display unity and defence pledges, says deputy chief

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth lambasted Nato allies last week for not allowing use of their bases to attack Iran, as he announced a surprise six-month review of American forces in Europe

Image
Updated On : 26 Jun 2026 | 12:24 PM IST

Pentagon chief urges Europe to take lead as he pushes a 'Nato 3.0' reboot

His remarks came a few weeks after the UnAt a meeting of Nato defence ministers, Hegseth called for a reboot of the 32-nation organisation to turn it into a "NATO 3.0" capable of deterring any threat.

Image
Updated On : 18 Jun 2026 | 12:41 PM IST

Starmer tells Nato chief UK will publish defence plan before July summit

In a call ​earlier on Saturday, Starmer and Rutte agreed allies must ​strengthen collective defence and deliver more quickly in response to shared and evolving threats

Image
Updated On : 13 Jun 2026 | 9:06 PM IST

EU to start Ukraine membership talks next week as war with Russia drags on

Ukraine sees EU membership as an important "security guarantee" for a stable future once war with Russia ends

Image
Updated On : 13 Jun 2026 | 7:12 AM IST

US plans to reduce military assets allocated to Nato in Europe: Report

It has urged allies to increase defence spending and commit a higher percentage of their gross domestic product to military expenditure

Image
Updated On : 12 Jun 2026 | 5:42 PM IST