North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established in 1949, comprising 30 member countries from North America and Europe. Primarily formed in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, NATO's fundamental purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. It provides a collective defense mechanism, meaning an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. NATO also promotes democratic values and encourages cooperation on defense and security-related issues to prevent conflict. Its operations can include crisis management, peacekeeping, and humanitarian efforts.