In 1949, twelve countries came together to sign the Washington Treaty—marking the beginning of what would become the world’s most powerful military alliance. In the seventy-five years that have followed, NATO has expanded to include an additional twenty like-minded allies as well as numerous partnerships in order to counter threats to the liberal democratic order. As NATO commemorates this milestone anniversary, it also must take stock of challenges on the horizon. During this historic year for the Alliance, the Atlantic Council is leading the charge in shaping the agenda for the Washington Summit, informing the transatlantic and domestic community, and demonstrating NATO’s enduring value.
NATO’s impact
Since its inception, the Alliance has collectively promoted global stability, peace, and prosperity beyond just the transatlantic community. NATO allies commit to collective defense and deterrence to build a safer, more secure world. Check out this interactive graphic to learn more about each NATO ally.
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Washington Summit
As we celebrate seventy-five years of NATO, allies and partners are focused on the Washington Summit on July 9-11. Heads of state and government officials will gather in Washington to discuss the most pressing security challenges facing the Alliance today.
On the sidelines of the Washington Summit, NATO will host a public forum to connect with communities across the Alliance. NATO is only as strong as it is united—making public support and understanding a vital component of collective defense. The NATO Public Forum offers government officials and experts alike the opportunity to connect with the broader transatlantic community to offer insight on summit developments.
Stay tuned for updates on the Atlantic Council’s “Road to the Washington Summit” in the coming weeks.
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Save the dates for the upcoming 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, DC from July 9 – July 11. For more information and updates on future events and publications, follow @ACScowcroft and join the conversation with #StrongerwithAllies.