NATO Flashcards
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
What is the prime purpose of NATO?
To safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries through political and military means.
Collective Defence.
Multinational crisis management and peacekeeping missions.
Does NATO have an armed forces?
All member countries contribute forces and equipment that remain under national command until they are required.
NATO possesses some common capabilities such as AWACS.
What are the conditions for joining NATO?
Any European country willing to further Washington treaty and contribute to Euro-Atlantic security.
Aspiring members must meet political, economical and military goals.
Membership Action Plan (MAP) is designed to assist aspiring nations
What is the Washington treaty?
14 articles signed by NATOs 12 founding members
Who were NATOs 12 founding members?
UK
US
Canada
Iceland
Denmark
Norway
Portugal
Italy
Luxembourg
Belgium
Netherlands
France
US could convince diverse countries to join (this is the diplomatic importance of US)
How is UN different?
Created to help keep peace and create international law
Solves problems in economy and international relations
193 members.
Article 4
Members consult together whenever security of a member is threatened.
Which 3 times has article 4 been invoked by Turkey?
2003 Iraq War
June 2012 Shooting down of Turkish Jet
October 2012 after Syrian attack on Turkey and their counter attacks
Article 5
Key section of treaty.
It considers an attack against one member state to be an attack against them all.
It was only triggered once after 9/11
Why didn’t the UK trigger article 5 when Argentina attacked the Falklands?
Because the Falklands are below the Tropic of Cancer
Article 6
Treaty only covers north of tropic of cancer bar plus French Algeria
What happened on 16 April 2003?
NATO agreed to take command of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan
First time in history NATO took control of a mission outside of North Atlantic area
European Reassurance Initiative?
Increased US presence in Europe for security purposes as a result of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
When and where was NATO formed?
4th of April 1949 in Washington
Most recent countries to join?
2024 MAR - Sweden
2023 - Finland
2020 - North Macedonia
What principle is NATO based on?
Article 5, an attack on one member state is an attack on all
What is the benefit to the smaller nations in NATO?
Benefit from the collective security and military capabilities of all 32 members.
Deters larger more powerful nations, from conducting aggressive and coercive actions against the smaller, venerable members of NATO.
What are the benefits of having smaller nations in NATO?
They provide significant contributions, through allowing use of their air space, and military bases as staging areas and logistical hubs.
They can also provide considerable knowledge, experience, intelligence and military support.
Also add’s to a wider unity within Europe.
What operations are NATO currently involved in?
Kosovo
Mediterranean Sea
IRAQ
African Union
Air Policing
Tell me about Kosovo in regards to NATO?
Roughly 3700 troops operating in Kosovo currently.
Entered in 1999 to end violence and halt the humanitarian disaster that was developing.
Post 2008 NATO mains a presence, helping the political situation and supporting EU dialogue.
Tell me about the Mediterranean Sea in regards to NATO?
Op Sea Guardian.
Combination of maritime security operational tasks:
- Situational awareness
- Counter terrorism
- Supporting capacity building
Flexible operation and can be re tasked to:
- Freedom of navigation
- Interdiction
- Protection of infrastructure
Tell me about Iraq in regards to NATO?
Launched at the Brussels summit in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government.
Non-Combat advisory and capacity building mission.
Aiming to strengthen Iraqi forces so they can prevent the return of ISIS, fight terrorism and stabilise their country.
Tell me about the African union in regards to NATO?
Supporting the African Union in its peacekeeping mission on the African continent.
Since 2007 it has assisted Somali by providing air-lift and sea-lift support.
Has also been providing training and capacity building to the stay force.
Tell me about Air policing in regards to NATO?
Following February 2014, and then February 2022 NATO has been conducting reassurance measures for its allies.
Has deployed additional aircraft to the following regions:
- Baltic States
- The Eastern Adriatic
- The Western Balkans
- Iceland
- Benelux countries
Part of three standing forces on active duty. Maritime and integrated air defence.
