what is the purpose of nato

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military alliance of 30 countries from North America and Europe. NATOs essential and enduring purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of all its members by political and military means. Its fundamental goal is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. NATOs purpose is to protect the people and territory of its members, and collective defense is at the heart of the Alliance. NATO strives to secure a lasting peace in Europe, based on its member countries’ common values of individual liberty, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. NATO was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. The Alliances founding treaty commits the Allies to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law, as well as to peaceful resolution of disputes. NATO not only helps to defend the territory of its members but also engages, where possible and when necessary, to project its values further afield, prevent and manage crises, stabilize post-conflict situations, and support reconstruction. NATO also works with many non-member countries on a wide range of political and security-related issues and cooperates with a wide network of international organizations.