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

Revising EU Export Controls: A Path to Greater Coherence?
Commentary, 17 November 2020Maria Shagina
The EU is close to agreement on expanding the list of dual-use cyber-surveillance technology to be banned from sale to autocratic regimes. The move would strengthen the EU’s human rights advocacy and bolster the European Commission’s geopolitical ambitions.
Tags: European Union, Technology, Europe
The Silent Rise of Greece as a Mediterranean Power
Commentary, 16 November 2020Emmanuel Karagiannis
Greece is emerging as a Mediterranean power with a more proactive foreign policy.
Tags: Europe
War by Others’ Means: Delivering Effective Partner Force Capacity Building
Whitehall Papers, 13 November 2020Jack Watling and Nick Reynolds
In a world of powerful states, countries are likely to partner their armed forces to achieve common aims. Efforts to build capacity in partner forces will play a crucial role.
Tags: Military Sciences, Whitehall Papers, Defence Policy, Military PersonnelPages

A Nagorno-Karabakh Scenario in the Balkans?
Commentary, 2 October 2020Harun Karčić
As the fighting rages in the South Caucasus, the citizens of another frozen conflict watch with unease.
Tags: Europe
Interception: Deterring Radicalisation During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Commentary, 25 September 2020Alex Guittard, Jared Shurin and Lilla Schumicky-Logan
A simple set of suggestions to counter terrorist and violent extremist groups’ recruitment efforts during the pandemic.
Tags: Tackling Extremism, Global Security Issues, Technology
Russia and Serbia: A Partnership Past its Prime
Commentary, 23 September 2020Vuk Vuksanovic
After an undiplomatic statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson about the Serbian President, Moscow apologised to Belgrade. Was this an isolated incident or a sign of a deeper rift between Russia and Serbia?
Tags: RussiaPages

Understanding NATO
RUSI Journal, 22 June 2020John Andreas Olsen
NATO must be nimble as it responds to new challenges, both inside and outside the Alliance.
Tags: RUSI Journal, NATO, Americas, Russia, Defence Policy, Global Security Issues, International Institutions, Europe
How Threat Actors are Manipulating the British Information Environment
RUSI Journal, 17 June 2020Daniel Dobrowolski David V Gioe and Alicia Wanless
The UK needs to update its regulatory approach to respond to emerging threats in the information environment.
Tags: Cyber, RUSI Journal, UK, Information, Technology, 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

General Frank Gorenc: Air Power and the NATO Warsaw Summit
Multimedia, 8 July 2016General Frank Gorenc, Commander Allied Air Command discusses the air power challenges for the Atlantic alliance on the eve of the NATO Summit.
Aerospace, Air Power and Technology, Military Sciences, United States, NATO, Global Security Issues, Europe
Obama's Foreign Policy Legacy
Multimedia, 20 June 2016North America, Global Security Issues

The New Defence Enterprise
Multimedia, 5 May 2016In this video RUSI's Defence, Industries and Society programme explores the increasingly significant role of the commercial sector in modern British defence capabilities. RUSI talks to a number of...
Defence, Industries and Society, Defence Spending, Defence Management, Defence Policy, UK DefencePages

Current Global Security Challenges: A Conversation with General (Ret) David H. Petraeus
Events, 22 November 2017RUSI hosted a conversation with General (Ret) David H. Petraeus, Senior Vice President of RUSI, Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, former Director of the CIA, and past commander of US Central...
Tags: Global Security Issues
POSTPONED: Social Media and Terrorist Finance: Vulnerabilities and Responses
Events, 25 October 2017This event will assess what role social media platforms could or should be playing within the counter-terrorist finance (CTF) architecture in place today.
Tags: Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies, Cyber, Lone-Actor Terrorism, Radicalisation and Countering Violent Extremism, Terrorism, UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, The War on Terror, Security Policy, International Responses, Domestic Security, Global Security Issues, Information, Intelligence, Law and Ethics, National Security, Technology, Terrorism
Hope Springs Eternal? Prospects for a Durable Settlement in Cyprus
Events, 4 October 2017This panel discussion will examine the latest developments in the Cyprus peace talks.
Tags: Europe
Poland’s Decisive Role in Cracking Enigma and Transforming the UK’s SIGINT Operations
Against the Clock: Can the EU’s New Strategy for Terrorist Content Removal Work?
Yemen: Engaging, Not Isolating