TOGETHER FOR SECURITY

An introduction to NATO
TOGETHER FOR SECURITY
An introduction to NATO

P04 | Introduction
P06 | Responding to change
P14 | A major player in crisis situations
P22 | Extending partnerships
P28 | Pursuing an open door policy
P30 | New capabilities for new threats
P32 | The dynamics of the Organization
P35 | Into the future
 TOGETHER FOR SECURITY
An introduction to NATO

The North Atlantic

Alliance
In the course of over half a century of
existence, both the Alliance and the
wider world have developed in ways
that NATO’s founders could not have
envisaged.

As the strategic environment continues

to evolve, the pace of NATO’s
transformation is increasing. NATO
is addressing a broader spectrum of
security challenges than in the past
and has to protect its populations both
at home and abroad. Threats such as
the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and terrorism know no
borders, which implies that NATO must
also be able to deploy and sustain forces
at great distances, as in Afghanistan. In
parallel, it is developing the necessary
means and capabilities to be able to

respond to these new demands and

is contributing to international efforts NATO provides a political-military
dealing with these many challenges. framework for managing security
challenges, that links European and
While the nature of the threats faced by North American interests and aims to
member states and the way in which build security based on understanding
NATO deals with them are changing, the and cooperation for the benefit of
basic tenets of cooperation within the future generations.
Alliance remain true to the principles of
the Washington Treaty. The principle of
collective defence is at the very heart of
the founding treaty. It remains a unique
and enduring principle that binds its
members together, committing them to
protect each other.

P04 | Introduction
References in this publication to the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are marked by
an asterisk (*) referring to the following footnote:
“Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia
with its constitutional name.”

Introduction | P05
 Responding to change

1961
Erection of the Berlin Wall
1949
Signing of the Washington Treaty, 4 April

Alliance origins
In 1949, when ideological clashes between East and
West were gaining momentum, 12 countries from
both sides of the Atlantic formed the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization. The primary aim was to create
a pact of mutual assistance to counter the risk that
the Soviet Union would seek to extend its control of
Eastern Europe to other parts of the continent.

P06 | Responding to change

At the time, Europe was still recovering from the devastation caused by the Second World War.
However, between 1947 and 1952, the US-funded Marshall Plan afforded the means to stabilize
Western European economies. By committing to the principle of collective defence, NATO
complemented this role by helping to maintain a secure environment for the development of democracy
and economic growth. In the words of the then US President Harry S. Truman, the Marshall Plan and
NATO were “two halves of the same walnut”.

“ Through the Alliance,

Western Europe and
North America achieved
an unprecedented level
of stability ”
By the early 1950s, international developments, culminating in the outbreak of the Korean War,
appeared to confirm Western fears of the Soviet Union’s expansionist ambitions. Accordingly, NATO
member states increased their efforts to develop the military and civilian structures needed to implement
their commitment to joint defence. The presence of North American forces on European soil, at the
request of European governments, helped to discourage Soviet Union aggression. Moreover, as time
passed, more states became Allies.

Through the Alliance, Western Europe and North America achieved an unprecedented level of stability,
laying the basis for European economic cooperation and integration. At the beginning of the 1990s,
after the end of the Cold War, the Alliance actively contributed to overcoming the old East-West divide of
Europe by reaching out to former enemies and pursuing a cooperative approach to security.

Responding to change | P07

 1989
Fall of the Berlin Wall

The end of the

Cold War
During the Cold War, NATO’s role and purpose were
clearly defined by the existence of the threat posed
by the Soviet Union. By the early 1990s, the Warsaw
Pact had been dissolved and the Soviet Union had
collapsed. With the disappearance of its traditional
adversaries, some commentators believed that the
need for NATO had also been removed and that
future defence expenditure and investment in armed
forces could be dramatically reduced.

P08 | Responding to change

Many NATO Allies started cutting their defence spending, some by as much as 25 per cent. However, it
soon became apparent that although the end of the Cold War might have removed the threat of military
invasion, instability in some parts of Europe had increased. A number of regional conflicts, often fuelled
by ethnic tensions, broke out in the former Yugoslavia and in parts of the former Soviet Union, and
threatened to spread.

“ preserve peace
and stability in
Europe and prevent
the escalation of
regional tensions ”

New forms of political and military cooperation were now required to preserve peace and stability in
Europe and prevent the escalation of regional tensions. Indeed, NATO engaged in institutionalised
relations with former adversaries, creating new mechanisms for cooperation. It also underwent major
internal reforms to adapt military structures and capabilities to equip members for new tasks, such as
crisis management, peacekeeping and peace-support operations, in addition to ensuring their continued
ability to fulfil their fundamental defence roles. In response to these security challenges, NATO not only
remained a tightly knit Alliance with responsibility for collective defence, but also became the focus for a
partnership of culturally diverse countries cooperating closely in the wider field of security.

© MOD UK
1995
NATO engages in its
first crisis management
operation

Responding to change | P09

 9/11 New York and Washington D.C.
Large-scale terrorist attacks in
2001

NATO invokes
Article 5 for first
time in its history

September 11
The Strategic Concept adopted at the 1999
Washington Summit described future threats as
“multidirectional and often difficult to predict” and
devoted special attention to the threat posed by the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their
means of delivery. It also made clear that Alliance
security interests could be affected by other risks of a
wider nature, such as acts of terrorism, sabotage and
organized crime, as well as the disruption of the flow
of vital resources.

Events quickly brought home how prescient the Allies

had been. On 11 September 2001, terrorists used
passenger airliners as weapons of mass destruction
against targets in the United States. The shocking
brutality of the attacks and the means used to achieve
them demonstrated the vulnerability of open and
democratic societies to a new form of asymmetrical
warfare. The next day, in an act of solidarity, the Allies
invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, NATO’s
collective defence provision, thereby affirming that an
attack upon one or several constituted an attack upon
them all.

P10 | Responding to change

 Article 5
The Parties agree that an armed attack against and maintain the security of the North Atlantic
one or more of them in Europe or North area.
America shall be considered an attack against
them all and consequently they agree that, if Any such armed attack and all measures
such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in taken as a result thereof shall immediately
exercise of the right of individual or collective be reported to the Security Council. Such
self-defence recognized by Article 51 of the measures shall be terminated when the
Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Security Council has taken the measures
Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, necessary to restore and maintain international
individually and in concert with the other peace and security.
Parties, such action as it deems necessary,
including the use of armed force, to restore

The Alliance subsequently adopted measures to support the United States. It moved quickly, deploying
vessels to the Eastern Mediterranean early October to board and search ships suspected of terrorist
activity. This deployment continues today as Operation Active Endeavour, which now encompasses
the entire Mediterranean. Also among the measures adopted, individual Allies deployed forces to
Afghanistan in support of the US-led operation against al Qaida - the terrorist group responsible for the
9/11 attacks - and the Taliban - the regime harbouring it. The Alliance has been leading the follow-on
peacekeeping mission, the International Security Assistance Force, since August 2003.

The 9/11 attacks were followed by others on Alliance territory, less dramatic in scale but equally
malevolent in nature. These incidents and others elsewhere have confirmed for NATO leaders the
importance of several long-evolving realisations.

Responding to change | P11

 “ contribute to the
development of
comprehensive political,
economic, and military solutions ”

Firstly, threats to the transatlantic Union, and the Organization for

community in the 21st century will Security and Co-operation in
be increasingly asymmetrical in ­Europe. Only such an approach
nature and sponsored by will address the economic as well
sub-state groups rather than the as the political and ideological
freestanding armies of nation- roots of conflict.
states. To counter them, Allied
militaries must become more With these factors in mind, NATO
deployable, mobile and efficient. leaders embarked on a review
of Alliance activities and working
Secondly, these new threats may procedures. This has resulted in a
originate from beyond the Euro- series of initiatives, which include:
­Atlantic area. For that reason,
NATO must become an Alliance
with global partners that recog-
nizes that risks must be faced
wherever they may originate.

Finally, NATO cannot confront the creation of a NATO Response improving capabilities in areas key
these dangers alone. The trans­ Force - a technologically advanced, to modern military operations such
atlantic Alliance must contribute to flexible, deployable, interoperable as strategic lift and air-to-ground
the development of comprehensive and sustainable force including surveillance
political, economic, and military land, sea, and air elements
solutions by working together with
non-governmental and inter­
national organizations such as
the United Nations, the European
a streamlined military command the adoption of a Comprehensive
structure Political Guidance intended to pro-
vide the framework for the Alliance’s
strategic priorities for the next ten to
fifteen years

the expansion of operations in assistance to the Government

Afghanistan to cover the entire of Iraq through the training of its
country as well as assistance security forces, as well as support
through the training of security to the African Union and the
forces and reconstruction work initiation of counter-piracy activities

In parallel, NATO has also been

engaging in institutionalised relations pursuing Euro-Atlantic integra-
with countries from the Middle East tion by extending invitations for
through the Istanbul Cooperation membership to the Alliance and
Initiative to its partnership programmes,
so as to multiply the benefits of
security to a wider number of
countries.

P12 | Responding to change

 © Boeing

NATO AWACS aircraft provide

air surveillance for major events
and crisis situations

Responding to change | P13

 © MOD Canada
A major player
in crisis situations

Afghanistan
2003
NATO assumes responsibility
for ISAF in Afghanistan

In the immediate aftermath of the September 11

attacks, the United States launched Operation
Enduring Freedom, a counter-terrorist operation in
Afghanistan, which ousted the repressive Taliban
regime. Concern arose that Afghan security
forces could not stabilize the country on their own.
The Bonn Conference was therefore organized
in December 2001, requesting that the United
Nations (UN) approve a force that would assist in
the establishment and training of security forces.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1386 of
20 December 2001, provided for the creation of an
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and
its deployment to Kabul and surrounding areas.
ISAF and the Afghan Transitional Authority – the
forerunner of the Afghan national government –
negotiated a Military Technical Agreement in January
2002 that detailed ISAF’s tasks.

P14 | A major player in crisis situations

Initially, ISAF was neither a NATO nor a UN force but a coalition of the willing deployed under the
­authority of the UN Security Council. Volunteering countries led ISAF for six-month rotations (initially
the United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands).
While these missions made progress, they were hampered by a lack of continuity until, eventually,
in August 2003, the Alliance assumed strategic command, control and coordination of the mission,
­allowing for the creation of a permanent ISAF headquarters in Kabul.

“ ISAF coordinates closely

with the Afghan national
­government ”

At first, ISAF’s mandate was of ISAF - work across the

limited to the capital city of Kabul country on civil projects such
and surrounding areas, but it as building schools and
gradually expanded to cover orphanages, repairing roads,
Afghanistan in its entirety: It first decommissioning weapons,
expanded to the north, the west, demining, and the like.
then to the south and finally the
east of the country – the most ISAF coordinates closely with
dangerous and volatile region of the Afghan national government.
Afghanistan. During December 2003 and
January 2004, for instance,
ISAF’s overriding role is to it assisted Afghan authorities
assist the Afghan government in security provision for the
in extending its authority across convening of the Constitutional
the country and creating a Loya Jirga, a grand council,
secure environment. To do so, which adopted the Afghan
it assists in the development of constitution. In September
Afghan security forces through 2006, NATO and Afghanistan
army and police training; it issued a “Framework for
identifies reconstruction needs Enduring Co-operation in
of civilian facilities; supports the Partnership” that concentrates
government to disarm illegally on promoting defence reform,
armed groups and engage defence institution-building
in counter-narcotic efforts; and interoperability between
and supports humanitarian the Afghan National Army and
assistance activities. NATO members. In addition, a
Senior Civilian Representative
It is also trying to increase from NATO articulates the
interaction between civilian and political and military goals of the
military entities and develop Alliance, working directly with
a more systematic approach the Afghan government and
to cooperation in the field. other international organizations
To illustrate this, some of the and maintaining contact with
Provincial Reconstruction neighbouring countries.
Teams – small groups of
civilian and military personnel
under the responsibility

A major player in crisis situations | P15

 © Belgian MOD
NATO led a
10-year
peacekeeping
operation in
Bosnia and
Herzegovina

The Balkans
In the wake of the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia,
NATO intervened militarily to halt or head off conflict in
Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, in Kosovo in 1999 and
in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* in 2001.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, NATO Allies conducted air

operations against Bosnian Serb forces in August and
September 1995. This action helped shift the balance of
power between parties on the ground and persuade the
Bosnian Serb leadership to accept the peace settlement,
which was negotiated in Dayton, Ohio. NATO peace-
keepers arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina in December
1995 under the Implementation Force (IFOR). IFOR was
succeeded by the Stabilisation Force (SFOR), which ten
years later, in December 2005, was brought to a success-
ful end. The peacekeeping mandate was then handed
over to the European Union.

P16 | A major player in crisis situations

“ create a stable
environment for
the future development
of Kosovo ”

NATO’s military intervention June 1999. KFOR was made

in Kosovo followed more than responsible for deterring
a year of escalating violence renewed hostility, establishing
and Belgrade’s repeated a secure environment and
violations of UN Security demilitarising the Kosovo
Council resolutions calling Liberation Army. In addition,
for an end to its repression of KFOR supports the international
Kosovo’s Albanian population. humanitarian effort and works
In March 1999, the Alliance together with the international
decided to launch an air civil presence, the UN Interim
campaign against the military Administration Mission in
and paramilitary structures Kosovo (UNMIK), to create
of the Yugoslav government a stable environment for the
responsible for the repression. future development of Kosovo.
The decision was reached
after all other options had been Following the declaration of
exhausted and peace talks independence on 17 February
had again failed to overcome 2008, NATO reaffirmed that
Belgrade’s intransigence. KFOR shall remain in Kosovo
on the basis of UNSCR 1244,
The air campaign was to last unless the UN Security Council
78 days and resulted in an decides otherwise. This position
end to all military action by was again reiterated by NATO
the parties to the conflict; the leaders at the Strasbourg/Kehl
withdrawal from Kosovo of Summit in April 2009. They also
the Yugoslav Army, Serbian stated that the Alliance remains
police and paramilitary forces; fully committed to supporting
agreement on the stationing the establishment of the agreed
in Kosovo of an international multi-ethnic security structures
military presence; agreement in Kosovo. They welcomed
on the unconditional and the deployment of the
safe return of refugees and European Union Rule of Law
displaced persons; and Mission in Kosovo (EULEX)
assurance of a willingness on and the progress made so
all sides to work towards a far in implementing existing
political agreement for Kosovo. commitments to standards,
especially those related to the
The mandate of the NATO-led rule of law, protecting ethnic
Kosovo Force (KFOR) comes minorities and historical and
both from a Military-Technical religious sites, and combating
Agreement signed by NATO crime and corruption.
and Yugoslav commanders
and from UN Security Council
Resolution 1244, both of

A major player in crisis situations | P17

 “ In order to reinforce long-term
stability in the Western Balkans,
NATO is trying to integrate
­countries from the region into
Euro-Atlantic structures ”

In August 2001, the president of In order to reinforce long-term

the former Yugoslav Republic stability in the Western Balkans,
of Macedonia* requested the NATO is trying to integrate
support of NATO to disarm countries from the region into
ethnic Albanian groups which Euro-Atlantic structures. Albania
could potentially destabilize the and Croatia joined NATO on
country. NATO agreed, on the 1 April 2009; the former Yugoslav
condition that the government Republic of Macedonia* is a
would reinstate certain minority candidate for NATO membership;
rights. The representatives of and Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the country’s ethnic Albanian Montenegro and Serbia
community and the government became NATO Partners on
reached a political settlement, 14 December 2006.
which was brokered by special
envoys from various international
organizations, including NATO,
and from the United States. This
opened the way for NATO to
deploy some 3 500 troops on a
30-day mission to disarm ethnic
Albanians on a voluntary basis.

At Skopje’s request, NATO

troops remained in the country
providing protection for monitors
from the European Union and the
Organization for Security and Co-
operation in Europe until the end
of March 2003 when the mission
was taken over by the European
Union. These initiatives helped
head off civil conflict and prepare
the ground for reconciliation and
reconstruction in the country.

KFOR is now the only remaining

large-scale Allied force
deployment in the Balkans,
although NATO maintains
headquarters in Sarajevo
and Skopje to assist the host
governments in defence reform.

P18 | A major player in crisis situations

The Mediterranean
Launched in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Operation Active Endeavour is a maritime surveillance operation
led by NATO’s naval forces to detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity in the Mediterranean. NATO vessels
deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean and started patrolling the area as early as 6 October 2001. In view of its
success, it was expanded to the Strait of Gibraltar early 2003 and subsequently to the entire Mediterranean a year
later, in March 2004.

While the operation is limited to terrorism-related activities, it has beneficial effects on the overall security of the
Mediterranean for trade and economic activity.

The Gulf of Aden

Growing piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa is threatening to undermine international humanitarian
efforts in Africa and, more generally, disrupt vital sea lines of communication and economic interests in the area.

NATO is actively helping to increase security by conducting counter-piracy operations in the area: Operation Allied
Provider (2008) and Operation Allied Protector (2009). It is considering a possible long-term role in counter-piracy,
in full complementarity with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and with actions against piracy by other
actors, including the European Union.

A major player in crisis situations | P19

 Assistance to Iraq
NATO has a vital strategic interest in a stable Iraq and has been supporting the
Iraqi Government through the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) since 2004.
NATO and Iraq have also agreed to pursue their cooperation in the long-term
and have formalized this by approving proposals for a Structured Cooperation
Framework.

NATO is helping the country provide for its own security by training Iraqi military
personnel either in or outside Iraq; supporting the development of the country’s
security institutions; coordinating the delivery of equipment donated by individual
NATO member countries; and more generally, providing support for defence
reform in Iraq.

Cooperation with Iraq has been taking place in accordance with UN Security
Council Resolution 1546, which requested support from international and regional
organizations to help meet the needs of the Iraqi people for security and stability
and upon subsequent requests from the Government of Iraq.
© EU

Darfur
refugees

Support for the African Union

The first of NATO’s missions on the African continent was to support the African
Union’s Mission in Sudan (AMIS).

The inhabitants of the Darfur province of Sudan have been the victims of a brutal
civil war since 2003. The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis that has led to
the killing of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions. At the request
of the African Union (AU), NATO started providing support to the AMIS from
July 2005 until the completion of this mission on 31 December 2007. When this
mission became the UN-AU hybrid mission in January 2008, NATO expressed
its readiness to consider any additional requests for support.

In June 2007, NATO agreed to a request from the African Union to provide
strategic airlift support for the deployment of its troops for a mission in Somalia
(AMISOM). The country has been without effective government since 1991 and
has suffered from years of fighting between rival warlords as well as famine and
disease.

NATO is also providing capacity-building support to the AU’s long-term

peacekeeping capabilities, in particular the African Standby Force, also at the
request of the AU.

To ensure maximum synergy and effectiveness, NATO’s assistance is aligned

and coordinated closely with other international organizations – principally the
United Nations and the European Union – as well as with bilateral partners.
P20 | A major player in crisis situations
NATO’s wider activities
Media coverage of NATO
inevitably focuses on high-level
earthquake in Pakistan left
some 73 000 people dead and
“ most of the
diplomacy, Alliance summits and four million homeless. The
military campaigns. However, North Atlantic Council agreed ­Alliance’s work
most of the Alliance’s work to extend assistance through
takes place away from the glare
of publicity. NATO is involved,
the EADRCC. On numerous
occasions, the EADRCC has
takes place away
on a daily basis, in an array
of projects helping to improve
mobilized resources to come
to the assistance of countries from the glare of
Europe’s security environment. in the Euro-Atlantic area, which
These include helping reform
eastern European militaries,
have been hit by floods, forest
fires or earthquakes.
publicity ”
building programmes to retrain
former military officers for civilian NATO has a science programme
life, and providing assistance that sponsors practical
with demining and the disposal cooperation on security-
of obsolete munitions’ stockpiles. related issues in the fields of
civil science, the environment
In addition, NATO is active and technology. The NATO
in coordinating humanitarian Science for Peace and Security
relief. In 1999 it opened a (SPS) Programme seeks to
Euro-Atlantic Disaster Relief develop recommendations and
Coordination Centre (EADRCC) tangible solutions for a variety
through which it coordinates of problems, while aiming to
emergency and humanitarian respond to the specific needs
assistance from NATO and of participants. Scientists
Partner countries in the event from NATO member, Partner
of both natural or man-made and Mediterranean Dialogue
disasters. For example, NATO countries participate in these
provided assistance to the activities, which effectively
victims of flooding in the wake of contribute to overall security
Hurricane Katrina in the United by facilitating collaboration,
States in September 2005. networking and capacity-
A month later, a devastating building.

A major player in crisis situations | P21

 Extending partnerships

NATO partners
“ establishing institutions
for dialogue, confidence-
building and cooperation ”
Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has taken a In 1994, NATO introduced an initiative known as the
series of initiatives to strengthen security and stability Partnership for Peace (PfP). This is a programme
by establishing institutions for dialogue, confidence- designed to assist participating countries in restructuring
building and cooperation. It has created relations with their armed forces to enable them to play their proper
former adversaries, as well as other European states, role in a democratic society and to participate in NATO-
neighbouring countries in the wider Mediterranean led peace-support operations. It offers opportunities for
region and countries in the Middle East. practical cooperation in many different fields, allowing
individual Partner countries to tailor their participation
An early step in this direction was the establishment of according to their specific security needs or interests.
the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1991. Since The breadth and range of activities is huge, covering
renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, this areas such as defence reform, crisis management, civil
has become the principal forum for consultation and emergency planning, cooperation in the field of science,
cooperation between NATO and non-member countries education and training, and the safe destruction of
in the Euro-Atlantic area. munitions and small arms and light weapons.

P22 | Extending partnerships

Relations with Russia and Ukraine
“ Russia and Ukraine were among
the many countries that committed
to partnership activities with NATO
from day one ”
Russia and Ukraine were The NATO-Ukraine relationship
among the many countries has developed progressively
that committed to partnership over the years. An important
activities with NATO from day aspect is the support given
one. In 1997, cooperation was by NATO and individual Allies
placed on a more formal basis for Ukraine’s ongoing reform
with the signing of bilateral efforts, particularly in the
agreements between each of defence and security sector.
these countries and NATO. The These reforms are vital for
NATO-Russia Permanent Joint the country’s democratic
Council and the NATO-Ukraine development and the realization
Commission were established of its goal to become more
as a means to facilitate regular integrated with Euro-Atlantic
consultation and discussion on structures. An Intensified
security matters and to develop Dialogue was launched with
practical cooperation in a wide Ukraine on its membership
range of areas. aspirations and related reforms
in 2005. In 2008, NATO
Since then, in the wake of the members agreed that the
September 11 terrorist attacks, country will become a member
which underscored the need of NATO in future.
for concerted international
action to address new security
threats, the Allies and Russia
have formed a deeper and
closer relationship. In 2002,
they created the NATO-Russia
Council (NRC), chaired by the
Secretary General, in which
all NRC countries participate
as equals and decisions are
taken by consensus, to replace
the bilateral NATO-Russia
Permanent Joint Council.
The NRC has identified the
struggle against terrorism,
crisis management and the
non-proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction as key areas
of cooperation.

Extending partnerships | P23

 Cooperating with
Mediterranean
Dialogue
countries during
NATO exercises

The Mediterranean Dialogue

“ creating good relations and
improving mutual understanding
with the countries of the
Mediterranean area ”
The PfP initiative was complemented by practical cooperation through assistance
the 1995 establishment of a Mediterranean in defence reform, cooperation in the field
Dialogue with six countries - Egypt, Israel, of border security, measures to improve
Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia - interoperability, and the like. The enhanced
in the wider Mediterranean region. The partnership also focused on the fight against
programme, which was joined by Algeria in terrorism. Some Dialogue countries have
2000, is aimed at creating good relations contributed troops to NATO-led peace-
and improving mutual understanding with support operations in the Balkans and are
the countries of the Mediterranean area, participating in Operation Active Endeavour.
as well as promoting regional security and
stability. In 2004, the Dialogue was elevated
to a genuine partnership to promote greater

P24 | Extending partnerships

The Istanbul Cooperation
Initiative
“ The initiative aims to promote
practical bilateral cooperation
with interested countries in the
region ”
The launching of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) in 2004
showed the Alliance’s willingness to reach out to Middle Eastern
countries that are not involved in the Mediterranean Dialogue.
The initiative aims to promote practical bilateral cooperation with
interested countries of the region in areas such as the fight against
terrorism, crisis management, civil emergency planning and border
control. At present, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab
Emirates have joined.

Extending partnerships | P25

 A number of
so-called contact
countries, such as
New Zealand,
contribute to ISAF

Working with global

partners and other
international organizations
With security threats becoming more unpredictable in nature, scope
and origin, NATO has extended the reach of its partnerships. It has
appealed to global partners to help it tackle the global threats that
have emerged since the turn of the century. These so-called “contact
countries”, which are neither members nor partners of the Alliance,
include countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Australia and South
Korea.

NATO is also engaged in relations with other international

organizations that have a complementary role in promoting peace
and security. In the context of crisis management operations, NATO
works with organizations that have the tools to ensure a sustainable
peace through political, economic and social development. These
include the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as other institutions
such as EUROCONTROL and the International Committee of the
Red Cross.

P26 | Extending partnerships

“ a complementary role in promoting
peace and security ”

Over and above these develop its capacity to take on

institutional links, the crisis management tasks and
transatlantic relationship took steps to create the political
between the European members and military structures required.
of NATO and the United States This paved the way for the
makes the Alliance’s relations European Union to take over
with the European Union two of NATO’s missions in the
distinctive. Like any constructive Balkans, a few years later.
relationship, it has evolved in
response to changing external This process was facilitated by
circumstances. Without tracing the “Berlin Plus” arrangements,
the history of transatlantic which allow the European Union
relations since the end of to have access to NATO assets
the Second World War, it is and capabilities for EU-led
important to highlight that operations when NATO as a
NATO’s European members whole is not engaged. It is now
were highly dependent on the the foundation of cooperation
United States in the immediate between the European Union
post-war period, both in terms of and NATO and has led to the
security and economic growth. handover of NATO’s mission to
In the intervening years, Europe the former Yugoslav Republic
has grown stronger and more of Macedonia* at the end of
united. The European Union March 2003 and in Bosnia and
began to develop a common Herzegovina in December 2004.
foreign and security policy in
the early 1990s and is gradually
positioning Europe as a more
prominent actor in international
affairs. In December 1999, the
European Union decided to

Extending partnerships | P27

 Pursuing an open
door policy
An ongoing process
At a relatively early stage, of member countries to 19.
the founding members of the At the end of March 2004, in
Alliance – Belgium, Canada, what was NATO’s largest wave
Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, of enlargement, seven more
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, countries – Bulgaria, Estonia,
Norway, Portugal, the United Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,
Kingdom and the United States Slovakia and Slovenia – joined
– extended the membership the Alliance. More recently,
of the Organization to include in April 2009, Albania and
Greece and Turkey (1952), and Croatia became members. The
Germany (1955). Some decades former Yugoslav Republic of
later, Spain joined in 1982. Macedonia* will also be invited
to accede to the Organization as
The next round of enlargement soon as the country-name issue
occurred after the end of the has been resolved.
Cold War, when a number of
Central European countries NATO’s door remains open.
decided that their future security Intensified Dialogues are
interests could best be met underway with Georgia and
by joining NATO and voiced Ukraine on these countries’
their intention of seeking membership aspirations and
membership. Three former related reforms. In 2008, Allied
Partner countries – the Czech leaders agreed that the two
Republic, Hungary and Poland countries will become members
– became members in March of NATO in future.
1999, bringing the number

P28 | Pursuing an open door policy

The Membership Action Plan
The seven members that joined
NATO in 2004 and those which
membership from democratic
countries, which share Allied
“ providers
have followed since, have values and could contribute to
benefited from a Membership the fundamental aims of the as well as
Action Plan that was put in Alliance. NATO governments
place in 1999 to help interested
Partner countries prepare for
have made clear that the
enlargement of the Alliance is
consumers
membership. The plan offers
aspiring members practical
not an aim in itself, but a means
of extending NATO’s security of security ”
advice and targeted assistance. further a field and making
In turn, aspiring members Europe as a whole more stable.
are expected to meet certain The enlargement process
key requirements, including a helps to head off conflict,
functioning democratic political because the very prospect
system based on a market of membership serves as an
economy; the fair treatment incentive for aspiring members
of minority populations; a to resolve disputes with their
commitment to the peaceful neighbours and push ahead with
resolution of disputes with reforms and democratisation.
neighbours; the ability and Moreover, new members should
willingness to make a military not only enjoy the benefits of
contribution to the Alliance; and membership, they should also
a commitment to the democratic be able to contribute to the
control of their armed forces. overall security of all member
Participation in the plan does countries. In other words, they
not offer any guarantee of future need to be providers as well as
membership, but it does help consumers of security.
countries to adapt their armed
forces and to prepare for the
obligations and responsibilities
that Alliance membership would
bring.

NATO is not in the business

of recruiting new members,
but the Allies are committed
to considering requests for

Pursuing an open door policy | P29

 New capabilities
for new threats
“ NATO leaders introduced
major reforms that were to
dramatically reshape NATO’s
military assets ”
The security challenges confronting our societies today require
forces that are principally equipped and structured to tackle threats
such as terrorism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and
the instability emanating from failed or failing states.

In the early 1990s, NATO had already started to review its military
capabilities, with the aim of moving away from the static formations
of the Cold War to more mobile forces needed for crisis-management
operations. The events of September 11 accelerated this process.
At the Prague Summit, held in 2002, NATO leaders introduced major
reforms that were to dramatically reshape NATO’s military assets.
They identified specific areas for improvement, created the NATO
Response Force and streamlined the military command structure,
in an effort to be better able to respond to different security threats
either within or beyond the Euro-Atlantic area.

P30 | New capabilities for new threats

Modernizing military capabilities
In Prague, eight specific fields were identified as being the areas where shortfalls needed the most
urgently to be addressed. They included areas such as strategic air and sea lift; chemical, biological,
radiological and nuclear defence; and air-to-ground surveillance. Allies have committed to acquiring
these capabilities, which are fundamental in enabling the Alliance to respond to new threats. Since
the Prague Summit, NATO has explored other areas that need modernizing, particularly in the field of
defence against terrorism.

The NATO Response Force

The aim of the NATO Response Force (NRF) is to be able to respond swiftly to various types of crisis
situations across the globe, acting as an advance force that can be reinforced by additional troops at a
later stage. Based on a core that can be supplemented as necessary, it is a multinational force made
up of land, air, maritime and special forces components that can commence deployment with as little as
five days’ notice and sustain itself on operations for 30 days, or longer if re-supplied.

Elements of the NRF have already been deployed to the United States after Hurricane Katrina hit
New Orleans and the surrounding area in September 2005, and to Pakistan following the devastating
earthquake that occurred on 8 October 2005.

In addition to its deployability and high-combat readiness, the NRF is effectively the spearhead of
NATO’s transformation efforts. It trains personnel to function within a highly demanding environment,
using emerging technologies in a multinational context. This quality of training is an experience that
each and every one of the participants acquires, forming a catalyst for change within national forces, as
well as within multinational formations.

Rationalizing the command structure

Adapting to the post-Cold War security environment, NATO reviewed its military command structure to
support smaller, more flexible and mobile forces. It radically reduced the number of headquarters and,
more significantly, assigned the role of leading NATO’s transformation efforts to the US-based strategic
command, Allied Command Transformation (formerly the Allied Command Atlantic). The European-
based strategic command was made responsible for all NATO operations and is now known as Allied
Command Operations.

The streamlining of the military command structure is an ongoing process, which NATO reviews on a
regular basis.

New capabilities for new threats | P31

 The dynamics
of the Organization

Consensus
decision-making
One of the keys to the Alliance’s durability is its
decision-making process based on consensus.
This means that all decisions have to be unanimous.
As a result, protracted consultations and discussions
are often required before an important decision
can be taken. Although this system may appear
slow and unwieldy to an outside observer, it has
two major advantages. Firstly, the sovereignty and
independence of each member country is respected.
Secondly, when a decision is reached, it has the
full backing of all member countries and their
commitment to implement it.

On some occasions, there is disagreement, as was

the case in spring 2003 when countries differed in
their estimations of the threat presented by Saddam
Hussein’s regime in Iraq. While differing national
positions mean that Allies will not always agree on
action to be taken, the purpose of NATO is to facilitate
consultations and discussions among them so that
consensus can be achieved whenever possible.

P32 | The dynamics of the Organization

The principal players
“ The principal political
decision-making body in NATO
is the North Atlantic Council ”

The most important players in NATO are the NATO has a Secretary General who is appointed
member countries themselves who, as such, for approximately four years. He or she is a
form the Organization. They are represented at senior international statesman from one of
every committee level. For this purpose, within the member countries. The Secretary General
NATO headquarters in Brussels, each country chairs meetings of the North Atlantic Council and
has a permanent representative with the rank of other important NATO bodies and helps to build
ambassador, supported by a national delegation consensus among the members. In managing
consisting of diplomatic staff and defence day-to-day activities of the Alliance, he or she is
advisers, who either attend the committee supported by an international staff of experts and
meetings themselves or ensure that national officials from all NATO countries.
experts participate.
NATO does not have armed forces of its own.
The principal political decision-making body Most forces available to NATO remain under
in NATO is the North Atlantic Council that full national command and control until they are
convenes at ambassadorial level at least once assigned by the member countries to undertake
a week. There are also regular meetings of the tasks ranging from collective defence to new
Council at the level of foreign ministers, defence missions such as peacekeeping. In short, NATO
ministers and, from time to time, heads of state is a forum that brings together countries that are
and government. The North Atlantic Council, prepared to integrate their forces and engage in
together with two defence-related bodies - the multinational activities during a given period. Its
Defence Planning Committee and the Nuclear political and military structures provide for the
Planning Group - are at the head of a complex advance planning required to enable national
committee system. Within this system, the forces to carry out these tasks, as well as the
Military Committee is responsible for providing organizational arrangements needed for their
these three main bodies with military advice and joint command, control, training and exercising.
gives the strategic commanders guidance on
military matters. As such, it has a special status
as the senior military authority in NATO.

The dynamics of the Organization | P33

 Into the future
Initially a creation of the Cold War era, the Since the terrorist attacks of September 11,
Alliance has taken on new and fundamental 2001, the Alliance has been refocusing its
tasks since the division of Europe disappeared. efforts to adapt to the reality of asymmetrical
It has opened up to Eastern Europe, welcoming threats. It is adopting a broader and more
new members and creating a network of ambitious approach to security by further
partnerships stretching as far as Central Asia. deepening and extending its partnerships,
It has also engaged in crisis management modernizing its forces and providing assistance
operations to quell violence caused by regional in crisis areas that are new to the Organization.
and ethnic conflicts in Europe, and, more In sum, it is accelerating its transformation to
recently, beyond the Euro-Atlantic area. develop new political relationships and stronger
operational capabilities to respond to an
The post-Cold War world has proved to be a increasingly globalized and more challenging
more complex security environment – a trend world, for the benefit of members’ defence and
that looks set to continue in the 21st century. peace and security.
The Alliance’s Strategic Concept, agreed in
1999, anticipated many of the threats and
challenges of the new security environment.

Into the future | P35

 TOGETHER FOR SECURITY

06/2009 - ENG

NATO Public Diplomacy Division Division Diplomatie publique de l’OTAN

1110 Brussels - Belgium 1110 Bruxelles - Belgique
Website: www.nato.int Site web : www.otan.nato.int
Email: [email protected] Courriel : [email protected]