Nato FAQ

Common FAQ for Nato

• What is NATO?

  NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an international alliance of countries formed for collective defense and security.

• Why am I getting an error message when trying to access NATO's website?

  There may be a temporary technical issue with the website. Try refreshing the page or accessing it at a later time. If the issue persists, contact NATO's technical support team.

• How does one become a member of NATO?

  A country can only become a member of NATO through an invitation from the alliance and upon meeting certain criteria, such as having a democratic government and a commitment to shared values and principles.

• Why is NATO important?

  NATO plays a crucial role in ensuring the collective security and defense of its member countries, promoting stability and cooperation, and addressing global security challenges.

• What is NATO's role in promoting peace and security?

  NATO actively works to prevent conflicts and promote stability through its partnerships, crisis management operations, and support for democratic institutions and strengthening security forces in partner countries.

• How does NATO make decisions?

  NATO operates on the principle of consensus, meaning decisions must be reached unanimously among all member countries.

• Can non-NATO countries participate in NATO exercises and operations?

  Yes, non-NATO countries can participate as partners in NATO exercises and operations, depending on their level of partnership with the alliance.

• What are the main threats and challenges facing NATO?

  Some of the main threats and challenges facing NATO include terrorism, cyber attacks, and hybrid warfare tactics that aim to disrupt and undermine security and stability.

• What is Article 5 of the NATO Treaty?

  Article 5 of the NATO Treaty states that an attack on one member country will be considered an attack on all, and calls for collective defense and assistance.

• What is the NATO Response Force (NRF)?

  The NRF is a multinational rapid response force within NATO, designed to be quickly deployable and capable of conducting a variety of operations.

• Why does NATO have a military presence in Afghanistan?

  NATO's mission in Afghanistan, Resolute Support, aims to provide training, advice, and assistance to Afghan security forces in their efforts to maintain stability and combat terrorist threats.

• Can non-European countries join NATO?

  Yes, non-European countries can become members of NATO, as long as they meet the necessary criteria and are invited by the alliance.

• What is NATO's stance on nuclear weapons?

  NATO is a nuclear alliance, meaning it relies on the nuclear deterrence of its member countries as a means of defense.

• Does NATO have a role in international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief?

  Yes, NATO has a specialized unit, the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center (EADRCC), which coordinates and facilitates disaster relief efforts among member countries and partners.

• How many member countries are in NATO?

  As of 2021, there are 30 member countries in NATO.

• Can member countries leave NATO?

  Yes, a member country can voluntarily withdraw from NATO by sending a formal notice to the Secretary General.

• How often does NATO hold summits?

  NATO holds summits every few years to review and discuss international security issues and the alliance's strategies and operations.

• What is the role of the NATO Secretary General?

  The NATO Secretary General is the head of the alliance and is responsible for its day-to-day operations and representing the organization on the world stage.

• Does NATO have a role in counterterrorism?

  Yes, NATO has a variety of initiatives and efforts aimed at combating terrorism, such as providing training and support to partner countries and sharing intelligence among member countries.

• What is the relationship between NATO and the European Union (EU)?

  While both organizations share some member countries and work together on certain issues, they are two separate entities with distinct roles and responsibilities.

• Can NATO intervene in conflicts outside of its member countries?

  NATO can become involved in international conflicts through its crisis management operations, but it can only do so with a mandate from the United Nations or with the consent of all member countries.

• What is the NATO-Russia Council (NRC)?

  The NRC is a forum for dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Russia on international security issues, including joint exercises and information sharing.

• Can citizens of NATO member countries serve in the military of another member country?

  Yes, citizens of one NATO member country can serve in the military of another member country, but they must meet certain requirements and obtain the proper authorization.

• How does NATO engage with partner countries?

  NATO has various partnership programs with partner countries, which involve political dialogue, practical cooperation, and joint exercises and operations.

• How does NATO address climate change?

  NATO recognizes the security implications of climate change and has committed to reducing its environmental impact and integrating climate-related risks into its security planning.

• Is NATO involved in arms control?

  Yes, NATO supports arms control efforts through transparency measures, arms reductions, and non-proliferation efforts, among others.

• Where can I find more information about NATO and its activities?

  You can visit NATO's official website at www.nato.int