RELEVANCE OF NATO IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Introduction

NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, hereinafter referred to as NATO. It was established to unite efforts for collective defense and to preserve peace and security. [1] It was a military alliance formed after the Second World War. The Second World War lasted for six years causing death and destruction, which not only resulted in the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization but also the United Nations. NATO was established in the year 1949 with its headquarters in Brussels at Belgium against the Soviet armies. The Cold War era [United States of America vs The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)] ended in the year 1991 after the disintegration of the USSR.  The treaty came into force on April 4, 1949, in Washington D.C. by 12 members. As a result, it is also known as the Washington Treaty. With a summit in Washington every year it celebrates its anniversary reaffirming its collective action. It reconvened as a cooperative society after the end of the Cold- War with a former objective of establishing peace and security. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty also known as the Washington Treaty expresses its heart and soul. The signatory members hereby agree according to Article 5.

“Article 5

The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently, they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall immediately be reported to the Security Council. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.” [2]

Furthermore, NATO countries are also called First World countries as they are economically wealthy and have liberal democratic political governments. This was a counter to the Soviet-Warsaw Pact. It was a term used to group countries aligned with the Western block of the United States during the Cold War Era. Each member of the treaty is committed to sharing the risks, responsibilities, and benefits of the collective defense- a concept at the very heart of the Alliance.

Chapter 1- Theoretical Perspectives on Alliances

In layman’s language, the alliance is a formal agreement between two countries to support each other in times of need. Hence this is referred to as the treaty of alliance. The treaties between various non-state actors like the international organizations, NATO for example enter into treaties of alliance with various countries. This ensures trust, curated defense, and an assurance of collective security. NATO with its founding members of 12 with an additional 20 has expanded its horizon beyond its thirty member European countries. It has broadly joined three alliances namely, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), Mediterranean Dialogue, and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) is a partnership council with a dialogue on political and security-related issues among members and partner countries. Since its inception in 1997, it succeeded in the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, referred to as NACC. NACC was set up in 1991 just after the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The decisions of EAPC reflect NATO in the post-Cold War era. Discussions revolve around crisis management and peace support operations, alongside focusing on border security and political strategy. Therefore, outlying similarity between NATO’s goals and objectives. Lastly, The EAPC brings together the 32 Allies and 18 partner countries. [3]

Mediterranean Dialogue

Moving forward we have the Mediterranean Dialogue. Its core principle aligns with NATO’s principal core. In February 1995, the first group composed of Egypt, Israel, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia joined the Dialogue, followed by Jordan in November of that year, and Algeria in March 2000.[4] With this composition, it focused on core principles like non-discrimination, self-differentiation, and complementarity to other international initiatives in the region.  In conclusion, the two pillars of the dialogue stand as political dialogue and practical cooperation.

Istanbul Cooperation Initiative

Another feather in the cap is the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative hereinafter referred to as ICI. As the name suggests this cooperation is a partnership forum of Middle East Countries. This initiative is based on a foundation of six core principles which are similar to those aligned with the Mediterranean Dialogue, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It’s a framework to promote security cooperation on a bilateral basis between NATO and partner countries in the broader Middle East region. [5] Presently four countries are participating in the Gulf Cooperation Council- Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have joined this initiative while Oman and Saudi Arabia participate in selected activities within the ICI framework.[6] Another update on this is that in July 2024, NATO designated a Special Representative for the Southern Neighborhood to lead NATO with partners and dialogues of the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel Regions, including the ICI partners.

Therefore, the allies of NATO contribute to its partnership and the establishment of peace and security. Also to sum up these are not only the allies but there are other partner groups as well that contribute to NATO’s strategic growth and development.  

Chapter 2- NATO’s Strategic Evolution Post-Cold- War

The strategic approach derives from two characteristics of the international system. The first is the instability of the actors themselves. States may be treated as persons in international law and deal with each other as such in diplomatic negotiation, but they are in fact corporations that do not exist in the precise and finite sense that an individual human being exists.[7] It is therefore assumed that in international relations the states deal with each other in the form of corporations similar to the non-state actors. North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a non-state actor and therefore revived its strategy post-Cold War. The three core tasks for NATO defined by The Strategic Concept are as follows-

1. Collective Defense
2. Crisis Management
3. Cooperative society

The tasks did not come easily. They came with threats like the proliferation of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, terrorism, and cyber-attacks as fundamental threats to Euro-Atlantic security [aforementioned alliance of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)]. The strategic concept of 2022 lays down NATO’s core values, principles, and purpose along with the Alliance’s strategic objectives within a radically deteriorated security environment. This strategic concept reaffirms the responsibility of NATO to the collective defense of Allies from all threats, from all directions. This is a concept of Collective security in International Relations. Collective security is an arrangement where a group of countries agree to act together to ensure the security of each member is safeguarded and each member is protected against threats, particularly the threat of aggression or attack by any state on another is considered an act against all the members. This depicts a unified response and ensures collective harmony.

It is important to highlight that this article dates back to 2022, while the Cold War concluded in 1991 with the disintegration of the USSR. This underscores the positive strategic developments in the post-Cold War era, reaffirming NATO’s essential role in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security as a cornerstone of peace, freedom, and prosperity. Consequently, member states remain united in their commitment to safeguarding their security, shared values, and democratic way of life. Another significant update on the same is that the NATO summit wrapped up on June 14, 2021, in Brussels. The leaders took an important step to chart the Alliance’s course over the next decade and beyond. The summit collectively agreed on the 2023 Agenda to strengthen the alliance and even make it bigger, better, and stronger.

Some other changes post-cold war are as follows-

1. It was reconceived as a cooperative society an organization whose mandate was to include two main objectives: to foster dialogue and cooperation with former adversaries in the Warsaw Pact and to manage conflicts in areas on the European periphery, such as the Balkans. [8]
2. Special cooperative links were also set up with two partnerships for peace countries: Russia and Ukraine.[9]
3. NATO relations with Russia in the post-September 11 world. [10]
4.  NATO and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[11]

Chapter 3- NATO’s Role in the Multipolar World

NATO was formed in the Bipolar world when the Soviet Union and the United States of America were two powerful countries with strong governments and different ideologies. After the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), many European countries became independent and the dominance of the Second World slowly started transforming to the Third World. Therefore, power was distributed in more than two states. This is known as multipolarity. In other words, it does not mean that there are three powers of equal size, it’s just that it requires significant power to be concentrated in more than two states.

NATO has always envisioned an open-door policy. This flows from Article 10 of its founding treaty. Its decision to invite any country to join the alliance is taken by the North Atlantic Council based on the consensus among all the allies. This decision is also based on the non-interference policy. Meaning, that the decision is not influenced by any third country. Any decision by a non-member state does not have any stake in the deliberations.

“Article 10

The Parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to accede to this Treaty. Any State so invited may become a Party to the Treaty by depositing its instrument of accession with the Government of the United States of America. The Government of the United States of America will inform each of the Parties of the deposit of each such instrument of accession.”[12]

Exploration of NATO’s potential expansion and partnership with non-member states and assessment of NATO’s influence in regional security dynamics play key roles in a multipolar world. As reiterated above in Article 10 NATO is open for members and any state is invited to become a party to the treaty. The latest lateral entries are from Sweden and Finland in 2024 and 2023 respectively. Therefore, this can be viewed as NATO’s intent to invite states and become its members. Further, NATO’s partnership is important because-

1. They strengthen NATO’s security even outside its territory.
2. They share insights on areas of common interest or concern through political consultations and intelligence-sharing.[13]
3. Contribute to current NATO-led operations and missions.[14]
4. Prepare together for further operations and missions by participating in exercises and training.[15]
5. Participate in a rich menu of education, training, and consultation events (approximately 1400 events a year are open to partners through a Partnership Cooperation Menu).

1. Gain access to advice and support as they reform and strengthen defense institutions and capacities; this includes activity areas like integrating gender perspectives into security and defense, and fighting against corruption in the defense sector.[16]

Therefore, we can conclude that NATO’s Partners and its principle of Open-door policy is helping NATO increasing its relevance in the Multipolar world. The recent entry of some members (entry of Sweden and Finland) is one of the indications of its growth in the contemporary and modern world.

Chapter 4- NATO and Emerging Challenges

Throughout its seven-decade history, NATO has demonstrated adaptability and resilience in overcoming diverse challenges as an international entity due to the shared values among its member states. Beyond its initial military alliance role, NATO now prioritizes multilateral cooperation and adopts a multifaceted approach to tackle complex contemporary challenges. But today’s fast-changing geopolitical landscape requires the Organization to redesign its tools and capabilities to develop a comprehensive proactive security strategy.[17] It confronts a rapidly- evolving and intricate security landscape that demands capabilities beyond just adaptability and resilience. The 2024 Summit is set to serve as just one step in a broader, long-term effort to reshape NATO. Looking beyond 2024 requires addressing the fundamental institutional challenges that will shape transatlantic security discussions over the next three to five years, as well as making tough strategic choices regarding Ukraine. These issues will remain unresolved by July. Furthermore, critical elections in the United States and the European Union this year, coupled with complex political dynamics within member nations, will inevitably impact the future of transatlantic collaboration and the core values that underpin the alliance—topics absent from the summit’s official agenda. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine heavily influenced the strategic discussions at the Washington summit. The limitations of the current Western approach, centered on supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes,” were becoming evident. Without swift and more unified support, Ukraine risks being critically weakened. To address this, key allies must engage in self-reflection and reassess their strategies.

• NATO recognizes that it needs to overcome a lot of environmental challenges, particularly those related to climate change risks, and has been addressing these challenges for some time.
• NATO is involved in civil preparedness and emergency response to environmental disasters such as floods, forest fires, and earthquakes.
• The alliance also works on achieving the goal of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint of armed forces.
• Recognition of environmental issues was made by NATO in 1969 through the establishment of the Committee on Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS), managing studies and fellowships that also addressed concerns on air and noise pollution, advanced health care, and the disposal of hazardous wastes.
• The Science Committee of NATO integrated with the CCMS to create the SPS Programme in 2006 to further work on initiative developments concerning security issues, and environmental security-related matters such as water management, prevention of natural disasters, and energy security.
• Another program concerning environmental issues promoted and carried out by NATO is the STO organization, which advances and conducts scientific research into environmental issues.
• In 2021, NATO approved an ambitious Climate Change and Security Action Plan to integrate climate change considerations into NATO’s political and military agendas.
• The 2022 Strategic Concept of NATO-the core policy document used to outline NATO’s strategy for the years ahead-highlights climate change as one of the defining challenges of our time, having a profound impact on Allied security. It holds that the NATO Alliance should become the leading international organization in understanding and adapting to its impact on security.

At the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Allies in 2023 welcomed the establishment of a NATO Centre of Excellence (COE) on Climate Change and Security in Montreal, Canada. It was accredited in May 2024.

The protracted Russia-Ukraine war has imposed massive economic burdens on NATO member states. The United States is currently the most significant contributor in NATO, accounting for more than 65% of the total spending in 2023, and it has contributed more than $75 billion to Ukraine since the commencement of the war, leaving it in a structural asymmetry with other European treaty members. As such, one of the key targets that the July 2023 summit of NATO in Vilnius set for the member countries was spending at least 2% of GDP in defense annually. This was to shift from the current system of asymmetrical burden sharing. While some progress had been achieved in this end, challenges remain. Issues facing NATO cut across political, financial, and security spectrums. Politically, NATO and Europe face uncertainty with the upcoming US presidential elections in November. Donald Trump’s hints that he could easily end the Russia-Ukraine war and his warnings that if European NATO members don’t increase contributions, he might provoke Russia to act as it pleases regarding NATO cast doubt on trans-Atlantic solidarity.[18]

The challenges facing NATO are also in adjusting to new threats. These arise from emerging technologies, innovation, and their applications. As NATO looks towards the Indo-Pacific over the coming decade, it would be impossible for it not to extend the nature of threats beyond its responsibility. The alliance must continue to evolve to address emerging security challenges, such as cyber warfare, terrorism, and hybrid warfare tactics. NATO can adapt and evolve in these domains that will determine if the Western alliance can sustain a competitive edge with China and other adversaries across much of the globe. Finally, Ukraine’s possible membership; which the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently hinted at for the first time ever stands as NATO’s last and potentially most consequential play, capable of definitely reshaping the European security landscape. It has the capability of forcing Russia to sit at the negotiating table or forcing Europe precariously toward nuclear war. As NATO grapples with these weighty decisions, its ability to navigate this challenge will define its role and impact in the global security arena for years to come.[19]

The working group of the Emerging Security Challenges (ESC) aims to deliberate the capacity of the decision makers and policy shapers to identify and respond to emerging international security challenges. The primary and ultimate goal is to keep the international security challenges as its priority and deliberate on plausible possible frameworks and mechanisms to address them. Therefore, the scope of improvement is open as and when the challenges are recognized. [20]

Conclusion

From extensive research, it can be concluded that NATO continues to maintain its relevance in the contemporary world. It remains a relevant and necessary entity in the contemporary world for ensuring collective security, but it requires strategic adaption to address modern security challenges. This can be tested by evaluating NATO’s current initiatives, strategic realignments, and responses to contemporary geopolitical threats.  After in-depth discussion in the aforementioned chapters, NATO poses threats from all directions but its ability to overcome these current challenges prove its relevance in the current world.

 Bibliography

1. NATO’s Homepage
2. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Founding Treaty
3. Journals from JSTOR

• Keeping NATO Relevant, April 2012, Jamie Shea
• The NATO/US- Turkey- Russia Strategic Triangle: Challenges Ahead, January 2018, Nilsu Goren, PhD
• Missile Defense: Challenges and Opportunities for NATO, July 2010, Stephan FRUHLING and Svenja SINJEN.

1. Articles from the founding treaty of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
2. Reimagine the Washinton Treaty, January 2020

References

[1] The North Atlantic Treaty, 1949

[2] The North Atlantic Treaty, 1949, art.5

[3] Euro- Atlantic Partnership Council, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, July 3, 2024 (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49276.htm)

[4] Mediterranean Dialogue, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, August 23, 2024 (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52927.htm)

[5] Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, October 3, 2024 (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52956.htm)

[6] Id.

[7] Michael Howard, The Strategic Approach to International Relations, 2 JSTOR Pg 1. (1976)

[8] David G. Haglund, NATO in the Post- Cold War era, Britannica (2024)

[9] Id.

[10] Id.

[11] Id.

[12] The North Atlantic Treaty, 1949, art.10.

[13] NATO’s Partnerships, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, August 6, 2024 (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_84336.htm)

[14] Id.

[15] Id.

[16] Id.

[17] Andreea Stoian Karadeli, NATO’s role in contemporary global security dynamics: beyond adaptability and resilience, ESD (2024)

[18] Harsh V. Pant, Vivek Mishra, NATO’s wins and woes: The Organization faces challenges across political, financial, and, security domains, ORF (2024).

[19] Id.

[20] Emerging Security Challenges, Partnership for Peace Consortium (PfPC) (https://www.pfp-consortium.org/working-groups/emerging-security-challenges)