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

Oct 1, 2009

McChrystal: Biden Afghanistan Plan ‘Short-Sighted’

By James Joyner

Stanley McChrystal, the general in charge of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, says the Obama administration needs to make up its mind on quickly on a strategy — and rejected the idea of lowering the bar.

Afghanistan NATO

Transcript

Sep 30, 2009

Transcript: Senator Lugar – Congressional Perspective on the Future of NATO

Transcript from the September 28, 2009 event “Senator Richard Lugar: Congressional Perspective on the Future of NATO.”

NATO Security & Defense

Event Recap

Sep 29, 2009

First Annual Members’ Conference – NATO’s Future and the New Strategic Concept

By James Joyner

Summary of the breakout conversation “NATO’s Future and the New Strategic Concept” at the 2009 Annual Members’ Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Hon. Alexander Vershbow, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security GEN John Craddock, USA (Ret.),* Immediate Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Dr. Hans Binnendijk, Vice President for Research, National Defense University; Member, Atlantic Council Strategic Advisors […]

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2009

Rasmussen: Afghanistan Proves NATO Solidarity, Not Weakness

By James Joyner

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the Atlantic Council that, while NATO’s Afghanistan mission shows some “very real problems” within the Alliance, the fundamental lesson that should be taken away is the remarkable “solidarity” of 28 diverse nations fighting together for a common purpose.

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

Transcript

Sep 29, 2009

Transcript: NATO Secretary General Rasmussen – First Major U.S. Speech

Full transcript from a NATO Forum public event featuring NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

International Security Assistance Force NATO

Event Recap

Sep 28, 2009

NATO Secretary General Rasmussen: First Major U.S. Speech

Amid administration debate over the way forward in Afghanistan, His Excellency Anders Fogh Rasmussen delivered his first major speech in the U.S. as NATO Secretary General at the Atlantic Council.

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Rasmussen: “Things Are Going to Have to Change” in Afghanistan

By James Joyner

In his first U.S. speech as NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated that, while “NATO will stay” in Afghanistan “for as long as it takes to succeed,” the political and strategic realities make it clear that “things are going to have to change” and quickly.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Lugar: Energy Cutoff Equivalent to Armed Invasion

By James Joyner

Senator Richard Lugar argues that NATO’s next strategic concept must consider “unconventional threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, cyber warfare, and energy manipulation” as “attacks” meriting Alliance response under Article V.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Sep 28, 2009

Lugar Wants ‘Boots on the Ground’ in Eastern Europe

By James Joyner

Senator Richard Lugar, speaking at the Atlantic Council, made a passionate plea for a stronger NATO commitment to East and Central Europe, including “boots on the ground.”

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Congressional Relations

Sep 28, 2009

Senator Richard Lugar: Congressional Perspective on the Future of NATO

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), the ranking minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke for the Atlantic Council to provide a Congressional perspective on how a new Strategic Concept for NATO can best ensure the continued relevance of the Alliance.

NATO Security & Defense

Experts