The Role of NATO

Abstract

NATO, the most successful defensive alliance in history, was born in 1949 and through its already long life has been able to adapt to the evolving security environment. At the end of the second decade of the XXI Century, NATO needs again to adapt its doctrine end structures not only for an ever-changing security environment but also for the appearance of a new model of security that has to assure the resilience not only of defence structures and military units but also of civil structures, public services and essential resources. Today to preserve the continuity of proper functioning of services is on the first line of security and defence for modern societies. But there are other factors that must be considered to understand the very relevant paradigm shift in security in NATO on its 70 years of life. The Washington Treaty (see Epilogue) (NATO 1949) was signed by 12 countries on the 4th of April 1949. Seventy years later the 6th of February 2019 the Permanent Representatives of the 29 member countries of the Alliance signed (see Epilogue) (NATO 2019) the Accession Protocol for the future Republic of North Macedonia. There have been 17 Accession Protocols signed before this one and as a matter of fact, Article 10 of the Treaty has been the most frequently used during the 70 years of life of the Alliance. Although the Washington Treaty has not been modified since 1949, the Atlantic Alliance security model has changed significantly through the years, especially since 1989.

In: A Shift in the Security Paradigm—Global Challenges: is Europe ready to meet them? Edited by J. Martín Ramírez, and Jerzy Biziewski. © 2019 Springer International. Submitted: September 28, 2019; Accepted: January 11, 2020.