Daily Junction.mobi portalNATO is the reason Russia has not invaded the Baltic states, Poland, or Finland. Russia knows that attacking a NATO member would trigger a war with the entire alliance.
NATO has helped keep peace in Europe for 75 years, the longest period of peace in European history.
NATO provides a framework for coordinating military action among 32 countries, which would be difficult without the alliance.
NATO has provided $100+ billion in military aid to Ukraine, helping it resist Russia's invasion.
NATO has 32 member states (including Finland and Sweden, who joined 2023-2024) pledged to collective defence under Article 5: an attack on one is an attack on all. Article 5 has been invoked once — after 9/11 (2001) — leading to NATO's involvement in Afghanistan for 20 years. NATO members must spend 2% of GDP on defence, but only 11 of 32 meet this target (UK 2.3%, USA 3.5%, Germany 1.5% in 2023). Russia views NATO expansion as an existential threat and invaded Ukraine partly to prevent it joining NATO, though Ukraine is not a member. NATO's combined military spending is $1.3 trillion per year (55% of global total), with the USA accounting for 68% of NATO spending. NATO is the most powerful military alliance in the world, and it is more important than ever given Russia's aggression. But it faces challenges: the USA is questioning its commitment, members disagree on Russia, and only 11 of 32 meet the 2% defence spending target. NATO's future depends on whether members can overcome these divisions and present a united front against Russia. The alternative — a divided, weak NATO — would embolden Russia and threaten European security.