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

Event Recap

Oct 19, 2011

Strategy Session with General Abrial: The Run-Up to Chicago 2012—A Smart Defense Agenda

By Jason Harmala

On October 19, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record strategy session with General Stéphane Abrial, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. The session, entitled, “Preparing for Chicago 2012 – A Smart Defense Agenda,” focused on the individual components and overall implementation of a smart defense initiative for the months leading up to the May 2012 summit.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Oct 18, 2011

US ‘Prepared to Put it in Writing’ Missile Defense Not Aimed At Russia

By James Joyner

Ellen Tauscher, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, says  the United States is prepared  to “put it in writing” that NATO missile defense systems are not aimed at Russia. At the same time, however, “We cannot provide legally binding commitments, nor can we agree to limitations on missile defenses, which must necessarily keep […]

Missile Defense NATO

Transcript

Oct 18, 2011

Transcript: Transatlantic Missile Defense – Phase II and the Lead Up to the NATO Chicago Summit – Panel on European Views

Full transcript of the fourth panel at the 2011 Atlantic Council Missile Defense Conference.

Missile Defense NATO

Transcript

Oct 18, 2011

Transcript: Transatlantic Missile Defense – Phase II and the Lead Up to the NATO Chicago Summit – Panel on Assessing Progress

Full transcript of the second panel discussion at the 2011 Atlantic Council Missile Defense Conference.

Missile Defense NATO

New Atlanticist

Oct 14, 2011

Georgia’s Path to the West

By James Joyner

At a time when “Russia has been going backwards, not forwards in democratic reforms,” it is vital that the United States and Europe work together to bolster emerging democracies like Georgia.

NATO Security & Defense

Report

Oct 13, 2011

Georgia in the West: A Policy Road Map to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic Future

On October 13, the Atlantic Council Task Force on Georgia, co-chaired by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsey Graham, released a major new report on Georgia at an event held on Capitol Hill, arguing for intensified domestic reform and a new sense of common purpose and clarity from the United States and Europe to work toward […]

European Union International Organizations

Event Recap

Oct 13, 2011

Roundtable Discussion with Julianne Smith

By Jason Harmala

On Thursday, October 13, the Atlantic Council’s International Security Program hosted Julianne Smith, Principal Director for Europe and NATO Policy at the US Department of Defense, for an off-the-record briefing on the outcomes of this month’s NATO Defense Ministers Meeting, which she attended with US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. 

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2011

Khudahafiz Afghanistan

By Sarwar Kashmeri

“Khudahafiz” is the South Asian Muslim way of saying “goodbye.” A wonderful phrase that means “Goodbye and may God protect you,” it is time for America to say, “Khudahafiz Afghanistan,” and end our miserable decade-long war in that country.

Afghanistan NATO

NATOSource

Oct 7, 2011

Panetta reveals consensus conditions for ending NATO’s Libya Op

By Howard LaFranchi, the Christian Science Monitor

From Howard LaFranchi, the Christian Science Monitor:  The word from NATO defense ministers Thursday that the Alliance is not ready end its Libyacampaign reflects a two-fold objective

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Oct 6, 2011

French Defense Minister outlines criteria for ending NATO’s air campaign in Libya

By David Brunnstrom, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom, Reuters:  French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet, whose country has been one of the leaders of the air mission, said it would continue as long Gaddafi’s forces put up resistance in their remaining holdouts and until there was "normal functioning of the state".

NATO Security & Defense

Experts