Last updated: 10 Feb. 2023 11:02

Thematic Index of NATO Topics

Browse through the thematic overview below or consult the alphabetical index for background information on the Alliance, its policies, activities and structures.

Introduction to NATO

Understand how and why NATO was created, its fundamental security tasks, the main policies and principles that guide the Organization, and how 30 countries work together through the principle of consensus decision-making.

NATO basics

Fundamental security tasks

Opening up of Alliance membership

Policy and decision-making

Financial resources and transparency

Operations and missions

Get a comprehensive overview of NATO-led operations and missions, past and present, large and small, conducted across several continents.

Operations

Other activities and missions

Security challenges and capabilities

Read more about today's security challenges and the defence capabilities NATO has developed to tackle them.

Capabilities and training

Integrated Air and Missile Defence

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

Resilience and the environment

Readiness and rapid response

Transportation and logistics

Technology and computing

Space

Hybrid threats and capabilities

Partnership and cooperation

Learn more about how NATO works with a network of 40 non-member countries as well as other organisations to promote security and tackle shared challenges.

Partnerships: projecting stability through cooperation

Frameworks and tools for cooperation with partners

Relations with individual partner countries

Relations with other international organisations and entities

Civilian and military structures

See how 30 countries work together through a relatively small number of structures that interact on a daily basis and are bound together by the principle of consensus decision-making.

Principal policy and decision-making bodies

Civilian organisation and functions

Military organisation and functions

Principal organisations and agencies

Wider activities

Discover other areas in which NATO is involved such as disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation, energy security, climate change, science, gender and human security.