You are here
- Home
- Publications
- RUSI Journal
- Volume: 165
- No: 3
- Understanding NATO

Understanding NATO
John Andreas OlsenRUSI Journal, 22 June 2020
NATO, Americas, Russia, Defence Policy, Global Security Issues, International Institutions, Europe
NATO is the most successful political and military alliance in modern history. It remains an essential contributor to peace, security and stability in Europe and North America. With the recent accession of North Macedonia, membership in the Alliance has increased from the original 12 countries to the current 30, and more are eager to join. NATO is vital to the nearly 1 billion citizens of its member states who, every day, benefit from the transatlantic framework it provides, including over 100 million from the former Warsaw Pact who have lived in freedom since the fall of the Iron Curtain. It has established political partnerships, and military and non-military cooperation with 41 countries in Europe and around the world, as well as with other international organisations, notably the EU, the UN and the OSCE. These partnerships continue to expand.
Continue Reading
Become A Member
To access the full text of this article and many other benefits, become a RUSI member.
Support Rusi Research
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Related

Russia’s New Rhetorical Deterrence
Commentary, 10 June 2020Marek Menkiszak
Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed a new nuclear deterrent policy which allows him to use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional strike targeting the country's critical state and military infrastructure. But the document is more about effect than substance.
Tags: NATO, Russia
Spare Me Your Cyber-Age Technobabble
RUSI Defence Systems, 5 June 2020Jack Watling
If Defence is to appropriately weight cyber operations then there are some dangerous myths about the practicalities of cyber warfare that need to be confronted.
Tags: Cyber, Military Sciences, RUSI Defence Systems, UK, Technology, UK Defence, Europe
Pakistan and the Rogue State Narrative
RUSI Newsbrief, 5 June 2020Don McLain Gill and Jovito Jose P Katigbak
Despite behaviour that often violates international norms, Pakistan has managed to maintain positive relationships with major Western powers.
Tags: Pakistan, United States, RUSI Newsbrief, Global Security Issues, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, TerrorismPages

Avenging Soleimani
Commentary, 19 March 2020Jack Watling
Iran is striking back for the killing of one of its top commanders. A real test of US resolve in the Middle East is beginning.
Tags: Military Sciences, United States, US Defence Policy, Iran, Global Security Issues
Europe’s Coronavirus Response: Selfish Member States and Active Institutions
Commentary, 18 March 2020Elisabeth Braw
EU member states displayed little solidarity in the current crisis, but EU institutions fared better.
Tags: Military Sciences, Modern Deterrence, Coronavirus, Europe
The Yukos Case: An Old Russian Wrong Keeps Haunting President Putin
Commentary, 13 March 2020Natia Seskuria
Owners of a company Russian President Vladimir Putin confiscated for political reasons have finally extracted justice from a court in the West. But Russia is unlikely to respect the ruling. Nor is it likely to respect international law.
Tags: Russia, International InstitutionsPages

History Resurgent: Old and New Challenges in the Western Balkans
RUSI Newsbrief, 12 April 2019Alex Maciag
With competition for influence increasing, old tensions are being revived in the fragile Western Balkans. The West must avoid complacency and show leadership in resolving critical issues before they become dangerous.
Tags: NATO, RUSI Newsbrief, European Union, Global Security Issues, Europe
Allies in the Multi-Domain Task Force
RUSI Defence Systems, 5 April 2019Jack Watling
The scale and highly integrated nature of the US’s Multi-Domain Operations concept for future warfare requires coordination, mutual understanding of capabilities and permissions sharing between armed services. These exceed what NATO allies can currently achieve
Tags: Martial Power Programme, Military Sciences, US Defence Policy, NATO, RUSI Defence Systems
The Rise, Fall and Future of Jihad in the North Caucasus
RUSI Newsbrief, 4 April 2019Aleksandre Kvakhadze
Since the beginning of armed conflict in Syria and Iraq, thousands of militants from the Caucasus region have participated in the war. However, dislodging Daesh and a collapse of the insurgency in the North Caucasus have substantially diminished the capacities of North Caucasian jihadi groups. Nevertheless, militancy in the region has potential.
Tags: Terrorism, RUSI Newsbrief, Tackling Extremism, Russia, Counterinsurgency, Global Security Issues, TerrorismPages

A Conservative Party View of UK Defence Policy
Events, 21 April 2010The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC MP, Conservative Member of Parliament for Kensington and Chelsea, outlined his party’s policy of defence in advance of the General Election and subsequent...
Tags: Defence Policy
The Strategic Defence and Security Review: A Conservative View of Defence and Future Challenges
Events, 8 February 2010A lecture by Dr Liam Fox MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence and Conservative Member of Parliament for Woodspring. In his lecture, Dr Fox addressed the challenges the next government is likely...
Tags: Defence Policy
The Future Defence Review: Red Teaming a Green Paper - Part of the RUSI Future Defence Review Event Series
Conference, 13 January 2010Tags: Defence Policy
Diversity in the UK's Intelligence Agencies
Financing Right-Wing Extremism and Terrorism
New UK Government Initiative to Support High-Risk, High-Reward Military Science Needs Refinement