NATO

“”Paranoid as always, Russia.

— NATOball, MrSpherical

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, more commonly known as NATO (pronounced as a single word, “NAE-TOE”), is a military alliance established in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations. His main purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members and stop the influence of commies in the West through political and military violence means.

NATO was founded on April 4, 1949, during the Cold War. His goal is to be secure against threats, (originally the Soviet Union, now mainly Russia) by making political and military cooperation among member states. An attack on one member is considered an attack on all (this is famously known as Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty). Members will also discuss and work together on security issues, as well as conduct operations to manage international conflicts.

Think of NATO as a club of countries where they agree to defend each other if attacked and to consult on security matters. He fosters cooperation and provides a platform for a united response to threats.

History

After WWII, European countries struggled to get their economies up and running again and assure their security. They needed a gigantic amount of help to re-establish their means of agriculture and to assure the inhabitants that Germany or any other country will not surge to power and cause another war. Incursions from the Soviet Union, the secondary super-power at the time were also a constant worry.

USA thought that an economically strong, rearmed, and cooperative Europe was crucial to prevent the spread of communism. And from 1947 to 1948, a series of events causes the European countries to become even more paranoid about their physical and political security causing America to become more involved in European affairs. These included but were not limited to tensions rising between Türkiye, an ongoing civil war in Greece, a Soviet-sponsored coup in Czechoslovakia which resulted in a communist government coming to power (which is close to Germany), elections in Italy as the communist party had made significant gains among Italian voters, and the split of Germany forming East Germany and West Germany was also quite controversial.

Then in 1948, the leader of Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, chose to test the Western countries by implementing a blockade against West Berlin which was jointly occupied by France, Britain, and USA. It was in Brussels they created an intergovernmental organization to prevent the rest of Europe from falling under Communist hands. The alliance was "The North Atlantic Treaty Organization", abbreviated to NATO.

Since the death of the Commie Union, NATO evolved and USA now reprogrammed him to bring freedom™ to the Arabs, defend Europe, North America, and more! Although his means of doing so are questionable.

On March 12, 1999, NATO formally admitted Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic during a ceremony in Independence, Missouri, completing his first post-Cold War eastward enlargement.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, all NATO members agreed to condemn Russia with the exception of Hungary.

People's Republic of China had start to sabotage NATO in 2024. Two cable lines in the Baltic Sea were severed, and a Chinese ship just so happens to have passed both places where the undersea cables were cut, after leaving a Russian port.

Operations

Bosnian War

NATO was first instructed to help monitor the Bosnian War with the United Nations. But over time, NATO's involvement in the war grew, like stopping ships to inspect their cargo. On February 28, 1994, the scope of NATO involvement in Bosnia increased dramatically. They shot down Serb jets. NATO launched Operation Deliberate Force in 1995 in response to the ongoing conflict and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia. The operation aimed to compel the Bosnian Serb forces to cease their attacks on civilian populations and to enforce compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. NATO conducted a series of air strikes targeting strategic military positions, command centers, and infrastructure associated with the Bosnian Serb army.

More TBA

Military Spending

The defence spending of the United States of America is more than double the defence spending of all other NATO members combined. (Note that this is total U.S. defense spending, not spending specifically for NATO). Criticism of the fact that many member states were not contributing their fair share in accordance with the international agreement by 45th and 47th US president Donald Trump caused various reactions from American and European political figures, ranging from ridicule to panic. While NATO members have committed to spending at least 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence, most of them did not meet that goal in 2023.

Members

Founding Members

Twelve states signed the treaty and thus became the founding members of NATO. Their leaders signed the agreement as plenipotentiaries of their countries in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949. These twelve states and their leaders that singed are the following:

• Belgium - Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Paul-Henri Spaak and Ambassador Baron Robert Silvercruys
• Canada - Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester B. Pearson and Ambassador Humphrey Hume Wrong
• Denmark - Foreign Minister Gustav Rasmussen and Ambassador Henrik Kauffmann
• France - Foreign Minister Robert Schuman and Ambassador Henri Bonnet, stayed after Fourth Republic
• Iceland - Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson and Ambassador Thor Thors
• Italy - Foreign Minister Carlo Sforza and Ambassador Alberto Tarchiani
• Luxembourg - Foreign Minister Joseph Bech and Ambassador Hugues Le Gallais
• Netherlands - Foreign Minister Dirk Stikker and Ambassador Eelco van Kleffens
• Norway - Foreign Minister Halvard M. Lange and Ambassador Wilhelm von Munthe af Morgenstierne
• Portugal - Foreign Minister José Caeiro da Mata and Ambassador Pedro Teotónio Pereira, stayed after Estado Novo
• United Kingdom - Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin and Ambassador Oliver Franks
• United States of America - Secretary of State Dean Acheson

Non-Founding Members Who Joined Before the Fall of USSR

• Greece (joined in 1952), later became a republic and remained
• Türkiye (joined in 1952)
• West Germany (joined in 1955), after reunification in 1990, the former East German territory became covered by NATO protection and all of Germany stayed.
• Spain (joined in 1982)

Members Who Joined After the Fall of USSR

• Czech Republic (joined in 1999)
• Hungary (joined in 1999)
• Poland (joined in 1999)
• Bulgaria (joined in 2004)
• Estonia (joined in 2004)
• Latvia (joined in 2004)
• Lithuania (joined in 2004)
• Romania (joined in 2004)
• Slovakia (joined in 2004)
• Slovenia (joined in 2004)
• Albania (joined in 2009)
• Croatia (joined in 2009)
• Montenegro (joined in 2017)
• North Macedonia (joined in 2020)
• Finland (joined in 2023)
• Sweden (joined in 2024)

Withdrawal

No state has rescinded their membership, but some dependencies and jurisdictions of member states that had prior NATO mutual defense protection under Article 6 have not requested membership after becoming independent or handed over to non-NATO states:

• Cyprus (independence from the United Kingdom in 1960)
• Algeria (independence from France in 1962)
• Malta (independence from the United Kingdom in 1964)
• Bahamas except for regions south of the Tropic of Cancer (independence from the United Kingdom in 1973)
• Panama Canal Zone (unincorporated US territory handed over to Panama in 1979)
• Belize (independence from the United Kingdom in 1981)

Relationships

Friends

• United States of America - He is the very best member. Also founding member. Also the liberator of Western Europe. Has many great tanks, soldiers, jets, bombers, ships, and nukes spread out.
• Poland - Spends lots on his military and contribute to me.
• Sweden - Welcome! We will protect you from Russia.
• Canada - One of my founders, but when was the last time you spent money on military? Er… just let me pass through your air space and we’re good.
• Spain - Joined me after his fascist government fell.

Neutral

• Hungary - Your job is to not stab me in the back!
• Türkiye - Same with you! And stop fighting with Greece!
• European Members - Uh hey guys, maybe it’s time to increase your defense spending a little. America can't carry you all the time.

Enemies

• Soviet Union - Commie! Stop threatening your neighbors and stop oppressing your people! We are here to bring DEMOCRACY!!!
• China - I don’t know you very well, but you seem like trouble. You’re a decisive enabler of the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Conservapedia - You just hate me for being against Russia.

How to draw

Flag of NATO

NATO has a drawing rating of intermediate.

1. Draw a ball.
2. Fill it with blue.
3. Draw a compass symbol in the middle.
4. Add two vertical lines on the top and bottom of the compass.
5. Add two horizontal lines on the right and left sides of the compass.
6. Add the eyes and you are done!

Color Name		HEX
	Midnight Blue	#004990
	White	#FFFFFF

Gallery

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  hey
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  no commies!
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  Cold War
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