75th anniversary of NATO on April 4 2024

75th anniversary of NATO on April 4 2024

Sub: IR

Sec : Int org

Context:

• 75th anniversary of NATO.
• Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared, “NATO is bigger, stronger, and more united than ever” with its 32 member-states.
• Challenges: Despite the expansion, NATO faces challenges such as contributing to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

About NATO:

• Founded: April 4, 1949, with 12 members (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK, and the US).
  • Apart from the original 12, members include Greece and Turkey (1952); West Germany (1955; later as Germany); Spain (1982); the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland (1999); Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia (2004); Albania and Croatia (2009); Montenegro (2017); North Macedonia (2020); Finland (2023); and Sweden (2024).
• Treaty Basis: Washington Treaty, empowered by Article 51 of the UN Charter for collective defence.
• Core Principle: Collective security – an attack on one member is an attack on all, requiring collective action.
• Cold War Context: Formed to counter Soviet expansion and control in Europe.
• Article 5: Invoked only after the September 11, 2001 attacks, leading to NATO forces in Afghanistan.
• Structure:
  • Political Leadership: The North Atlantic Council (NAC) serves as NATO’s principal political decision-making body, composed of ambassadors from all member countries.
  • Military Command Structure: NATO’s military command structure includes Strategic Commands (e.g., Allied Command Operations) responsible for operational planning and execution, as well as Regional Commands and Force Headquarters.
  • Integrated Military Forces: NATO maintains integrated military forces, allowing member countries to contribute personnel and assets to collective defence efforts under NATO command.

Current Challenges

• Internal Tensions:
  • Disagreements on military spending, with only a few members meeting the 2% GDP defence spending target.
  • Conflicts over member state policies and strategic coordination (e.g., Turkey’s resistance to Sweden and Finland’s membership).
  • French President Macron noted strategic coordination issues between European allies and the US/Turkey.
• Impact of Ukraine Conflict:
  • Finland and Sweden’s move towards NATO due to Russian aggression.
  • Disagreements on funding and support for Ukraine.
  • Stoltenberg proposed a $107 billion fund for Ukraine and ensuring 18 NATO members meet the 2% spending limit by 2024, drawing mixed reactions.

Source: IE