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Former US President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to potentially withdraw the United States from NATO, questioning its founding principles and member contributions.
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established in 1949 as a collective security alliance primarily to counter Soviet expansion during the Cold War.
A cornerstone of NATO is Article 5, which stipulates that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all, invoking collective defence.
Concerns persist regarding member states' defence spending, with the US historically contributing a disproportionately large share of NATO's budget and military capabilities.
Collective defence, as enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, is the principle that an armed attack against one or more of NATO's members in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. This commitment means that if a NATO Ally is attacked, every other member has an obligation to assist the attacked Ally, including with armed force if necessary. This principle is central to NATO's deterrence strategy and has only been invoked once in its history, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Simple Analogy: Imagine a group of friends who agree that if any one of them is bullied, all the others will come to their aid. This collective promise makes it less likely for any single friend to be targeted, as potential bullies know they would face the entire group.
An intergovernmental military alliance that constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.
The Soviet-led military alliance formed in 1955 as a direct counter to NATO, dissolved in 1991.
Recognizes the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a UN Member State.
Historically rooted in Non-Alignment, India maintains strategic autonomy while engaging with various security groupings (e.g., Quad) but is not part of any formal military alliance like NATO.
GS-II: International Relations - Important International Institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
General Awareness: International Organizations, Current Affairs.
General Knowledge: International Affairs, Defence Organizations, Geopolitics.
Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation India is a member of which of the above?
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
With reference to the "United Nations Credentials Committee", consider the following statements: 1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision. 2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year. 3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 3 only
India is a member of which among the following? 1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations 3. East Asia Summit Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 3 only
Medium-High for UPSC (as part of International Relations and current affairs), High for factual exams like SSC and Defence (for basic facts and organizational details).
A security arrangement where states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack on any member.
The equitable distribution of costs and responsibilities among alliance members, particularly concerning defence spending.
Refers to the political, economic, and military ties between North America (primarily the US and Canada) and Europe.