UK membership of NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), founded in 1949, is a political and military alliance of independent countries from North America and Europe committed to mutual defense against aggression. Established during the early years of the Cold War, NATO's primary purpose was to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union. Its founding treaty, the North Atlantic Treaty, enshrines the principle that an armed attack against one or more of its members is considered an attack against all, thereby committing each member to collective defense. Over the years, NATO has adapted to changing geopolitical landscapes, expanding its membership and taking on new roles in areas like crisis management and cooperative security.