what is nato article 4

NATO Article 4 is a provision in the North Atlantic Treaty that allows any member state to request consultations with other NATO members when it perceives a threat to its territorial integrity, political independence, or security. Invoking Article 4 triggers formal discussions within the alliance's main decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, to assess the situation and consider potential collective responses. However, unlike Article 5, Article 4 does not automatically commit NATO to military action or collective defense; it is primarily a mechanism for consultation and political or diplomatic coordination among members. Article 4 has been invoked several times in NATO's history, typically in situations where a member feels threatened but not necessarily under direct armed attack. It serves as an early warning and consultation tool before any joint military measures might be considered. This article plays an important role in addressing security concerns short of full military conflict and helps maintain alliance cohesion by ensuring that members can bring concerns to collective attention in a formal setting. In summary, NATO Article 4 is about consultation among members when any of them believes their security is threatened, though it does not automatically lead to military intervention or collective defense commitments like Article 5 does.