North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Chairs: Janine Balekdjian (janbal@bergen.org) - Sibjeet (Sib) Mahapatra (sibmah@bergen.org)
Topic Papers:
Topic Paper 1: [PDF], [DOC]
Topic Paper 2: [PDF], [DOC]
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance established on April 4, 1944 through the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. The organization had a strong historical role in maintaining worldwide stability during the Cold War, but its international influence has not diminished in the decades following perestroika and the fall of the Soviet Union. Its twenty-six members, consisting of the United States of America, Canada, and European nations, have established a pact of collective defense—NATO is currently one of the most powerful alliances in the world, both militarily and in terms of political power
According to its website, “NATO is committed to defending its member states against aggression or the threat of aggression and to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members would be considered an attack against all.” In this regard, NATO is first and foremost a military alliance, with successful intervention in contemporary conflicts ranging from Bosnia to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This is an excellent committee for those who are interested in issues revolving around military affairs and international security—careful diplomacy and an open mindset are also essential.