NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a political and military alliance consisting of 32 member countries as of 2025. The primary objective of NATO is to ensure collective defense, meaning an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. It fosters peace, security, and stability among its members, and also engages in crisis management, cooperative security, and deterrence.
NATO Countries as of 2025
Here is the list of NATO member countries along with their capital cities:
- Albania – Tirana
- Belgium – Brussels
- Bulgaria – Sofia
- Canada – Ottawa
- Croatia – Zagreb
- Czechia – Prague
- Denmark – Copenhagen
- Estonia – Tallinn
- Finland – Helsinki
- France – Paris
- Germany – Berlin
- Greece – Athens
- Hungary – Budapest
- Iceland – Reykjavik
- Italy – Rome
- Latvia – Riga
- Lithuania – Vilnius
- Luxembourg – Luxembourg
- Montenegro – Podgorica
- Netherlands – Amsterdam
- North Macedonia – Skopje
- Norway – Oslo
- Poland – Warsaw
- Portugal – Lisbon
- Romania – Bucharest
- Slovakia – Bratislava
- Slovenia – Ljubljana
- Spain – Madrid
- Sweden – Stockholm
- Turkey – Ankara
- United Kingdom – London
- United States – Washington, D.C.
Purpose and Objectives of NATO:
- Collective Defense: An attack on one member is considered an attack on all (Article 5 of the NATO Treaty).
- Crisis Management: Resolving conflicts through diplomatic and military efforts.
- Cooperative Security: Strengthening partnerships with non-member nations.
- Deterrence and Defense: Maintaining military readiness and modernization.
NATO’s Key Facts:
- Population: The NATO alliance includes about 952.7 million people.
- Countries Bordering Russia: NATO countries bordering Russia include Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and more.
- Countries Bordering Ukraine: NATO members bordering Ukraine are Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
NATO Membership and Expansion:
- NATO’s enlargement started with the original 12 members and grew to 32 countries by 2025, with recent additions like Sweden (2025).
- Finland’s membership in 2023 was a significant event, as it added security in northeastern Europe.
NATO Membership Requirements:
- New members must uphold democratic values, maintain a market economy, and ensure military forces are under civilian control.
- They must be working toward compatibility with NATO’s military standards.
Military Cooperation:
- NATO provides a collective defense system, military capabilities, joint exercises, and advanced technology to its members.
Non-NATO Countries with Relations:
- Israel and India are not NATO members but have strong cooperation with the alliance.
- Israel is a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) but not a full member.
- India engages with NATO on security issues but is not a member, maintaining its strategic autonomy.
NATO’s Role Today:
NATO remains vital in dealing with emerging global threats like terrorism, cyber-attacks, and regional conflicts, as well as in crisis management and responding to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
NATO remains a key international alliance with 32 member countries, providing security, defense, and diplomatic cooperation. The organization’s collective defense principle ensures peace and stability for its members, with a strong focus on modernizing military capabilities.