- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led Sweden along with Finland to apply for NATO membership.
- In 2023, Finland became the 31st NATO member, followed by Sweden, making entire Nordic region the part of NATO.
- In 2023, Finland became the 31st NATO member, followed by Sweden, making entire Nordic region the part of NATO.
- Significance of NATO expansion: Comprehensive defence capabilities, strategic influence over Baltic Sea and robust defence industry.
- NATO is a transatlantic political and military alliance established by the North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty), 1949.
- Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
- Original purposes: Deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe, and European political integration.
- Important NATO policies:
- Article 5: It establishes a system of collective defense, stating that an attack against one member country is considered an attack against all member countries.
- Article 10: NATO membership is open to any other European state which can further Treaty principles and to contribute to security of North Atlantic area.
- 12 Founding member countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, UK and USA.
- Since 1949, NATO’s membership has increased from 12 to 32 countries through 10 rounds of enlargement.
- Countries aspiring for NATO membership: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine.
