NATO

From June 24 to 25, heads of state and government gathered at the NATO Summit in The Hague, where they agreed on a new commitment to spend 5 percent of gross domestic product on defense by 2035. Check out our commentary, analysis, and events covering the convening, courtesy of our experts.

TRACKING NATO SPENDING


Trackers and Data Visualizations

Jun 20, 2025

NATO Defense Spending Tracker

By
Kristen Taylor, Julia Salabert

The Transatlantic Security Initiative’s NATO defense spending tracker delves into data and figures to analyze current defense spending trends.

Europe & Eurasia
NATO

FEATURED READING

FEATURED EVENTS

TUNE IN

Programs and initiatives

The Transatlantic Security Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.

Content

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2012

The Rise of Afghan Fratricide

By Joshua Foust

The number of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) soldiers killed by their Afghan counterparts has risen precipitously this year. So-called “green on blue” attacks have killed 42 soldiers, more than the 35 killed last year and twice as many as were killed in 2010. Officials are scrambling to figure out why.

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

NATOSource

Aug 6, 2012

NATO announces new Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

By NATO

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Jul 29, 2012

France Taps Paloméros for NATO Command Post in US

By Pierre Tran, Defense News

From Pierre Tran, Defense News:  France has nominated Gen. Jean-Paul Paloméros, French air chief of staff, as the next head of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation at Norfolk Va., sources familiar with the situation said. 

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Jul 25, 2012

‘Organic jointness?’ NATO’s Connected Forces Initiative

By Julian Lindley–French, the New Atlanticist

From Julian Lindley–French, the New Atlanticist:  NATO must contend with two competing and contending inner-realities

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2012

NATO: Connected Forces, Connected Minds?

By Julian Lindley-French

NATO must contend with two competing and contending inner-realities: a schism in Alliance strategic culture and concept, driven by deepening divisions over the world view and the future of the Euro; and the austerity-driven need for shrinking armed forces to work ever more closely together in a world in which the balance of power is […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO
NATO Headquarters, Brussels Flags

Event Recap

Jul 18, 2012

NATO Global Partnerships Task Force

On July 18, the Atlantic Council’s International Security Program hosted the first workshop of the task force on NATO Global Partnerships. The task force will assess ways that the Alliance can strengthen relations with appropriate partners who want to be associated with the Alliance, offer meaningful contributions, and help to address its global security agenda.

NATO NATO Partnerships

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2012

Anchoring the Alliance: Transforming Europe from a Partner in Crisis to a Global Partner

By R. Nicholas Burns Damon Wilson and Jeffrey Lightfoot

If the transatlantic alliance is going to build a brighter future in the decade ahead, Europe will have to regain the ambition to shape international affairs that it demonstrated in decades past.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2012

The American Pivot Hinges on Europe

By Sven Biscop

Inadvertently or not, the United States is now demanding European strategic autonomy, at least regionally, for its “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific is partially dependent on Europe’s ability to take care of its own business. Henceforth peace and stability in Europe’s neighborhood is first and foremost Europe’s responsibility.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 10, 2012

How About a Free-Trade Deal With Europe?

By Paula Dobriansky and Paul Saunders

Europe’s ongoing economic crisis and the evident discord among its key leaders have profound implications for the United States. Despite a new agreement during the most recent European Union summit last month, the crisis will likely endure for some time, with unpredictable political and economic consequences. Visionary and determined American leadership is essential both to […]

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2012

Afghanistan Update: 900+ Days to Go

By Derek Reveron

There are roughly 900 days to go until NATO plans to shift responsibility for combat operations to Afghan forces in December 31, 2014. This is a long time and the timetable could shift through progress or frustration, but the force that will assume the lead for combat is being built today.

Afghanistan NATO

Experts