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

NATOSource

Oct 6, 2011

NATO divided on end to Libya air war

By David S. Cloud and Patrick J. McDonnell, the Los Angeles Times

From David S. Cloud and Patrick J. McDonnell, the Los Angeles Times:  Members of the NATO military alliance parted company Wednesday over how quickly to halt the six-month bombing campaign in Libya, and the dangers of doing so if fighters loyal to Moammar Kadafi, the country’s deposed strongman, are still engaged in armed resistance.

NATO Security & Defense

Event Recap

Oct 6, 2011

What is Germany Thinking? The Future of Europe and the Transatlantic Alliance

By Adrienne Chuck

On October 6th, the Atlantic Council partnered with the Bertelsmann Foundation to host a luncheon discussion on what the citizens of Germany, Europe’s financial powerhouse, want from Europe, what they think about European integration, and how they see their future within the eurozone and the EU. The panel featured Annette Heuser, Executive Director of The […]

European Union Germany

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2011

Secretary General Rasmussen reinforces Panetta’s warning to NATO

By Lolita C. Baldor, the AP

From Lolita C. Baldor, the AP:  New U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned NATO allies Wednesday that they should not rest on any laurels from the success of the ongoing military campaign in Libya, and that a cash-strapped America cannot always foot the bill when the alliance falls short.

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2011

Panetta: Achieving fiscal and national security “will test the very future of leadership throughout NATO”

By Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense:  We are nearing the end of a successful campaign in Libya, and are closer than ever to achieving our shared goals in Afghanistan.  But there is no doubt that this is also a time of challenge to the alliance. 

Drones NATO

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2011

France and Germany send NATO allies joint proposal on key nuclear policy committee

By Oliver Meier, Arms Control Now

From Oliver Meier, Arms Control Now:  On July 7, in a rare show of unity on nuclear issues between France and Germany, the ambassadors of both countries sent a joint proposal to NATO members on the future of the new Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disarmament Committee (WCDC).

NATO Security & Defense

Event Recap

Oct 5, 2011

Learning From Libya: Implications for Defense in the Age of Austerity

By Jason Harmala

On October 5, the Atlantic Council featured a special Commanders Series event featuring Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, the Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force (RAF). He discussed RAF programs in an age of austerity and stressed the importance of the NATO framework for addressing security challenges in the 21st […]

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Oct 4, 2011

Panetta: Libya mission can’t end before fighting

By Lolita C. Baldor, the AP

 From Lolita C. Baldor, the AP:  NATO’s mission in Libya cannot end as long as fighting continues, including in Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday.

NATO Security & Defense

NATOSource

Oct 3, 2011

Panetta to discuss Libya, Afghanistan, and defense cuts with NATO allies in Brussels

By Cheryl Pellerin, the Department of Defense

From Cheryl Pellerin, the Department of Defense:   In his first visit as defense secretary, Leon E. Panetta will meet with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders and will travel to NATO headquarters this week to reaffirm the Defense Department’s security relationships, he said tonight.

NATO Security & Defense

Event Recap

Sep 16, 2011

Third Annual Members’ Conference: Can the United States Afford to be a Superpower? Can Europe be an Effective Ally?

By Jason Harmala

Summary of the town hall “Can the United States Afford to be a Superpower? Can Europe be an Effective Ally?” at the 2011 Annual Members’ Conference. Participants General Brent Scowcroft, USAF (Ret.),**^ Chairman, Atlantic Council International Advisory Board; former National Security Advisor General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret.),** Chairman-Designate, Atlantic Council Brent Scowcroft Center on […]

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Event Recap

Sep 16, 2011

Third Annual Members’ Conference – Exit or Exodus: Implications of the Drawdown for Afghanistan and Pakistan

By Jason Harmala

Summary of the town hall “Exit or Exodus: Implications of the Drawdown for Afghanistan and Pakistan” at the 2011 Annual Members’ Conference. Participants Marc Grossman, United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, United States Department of State Moderated by Barbara Slavin, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council South Asia Center

Afghanistan NATO

Experts