The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established in 1949 by the North Atlantic Treaty for purposes of collective defense. Initially formed to counter the perceived threat from the Soviet Union during the Cold War, NATO's core principle remains that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. Today, NATO comprises 31 member states from North America and Europe and continues to adapt to evolving security challenges through military and political cooperation, crisis management, and partnerships with non-member states.
