Last updated: 10 Feb. 2023 11:02

Thematic Index of NATO Topics

Browse through the thematic overview below or consult the full alphabetical index of NATO topics 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, and the main policies and principles that guide the Organization.

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.

Operations

Other activities and missions

Security challenges and capabilities

Read more about today's security challenges and the defence capabilities that NATO develops and maintains 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 innovation

Space

Hybrid threats and capabilities

Partnerships and cooperation

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

NATO’s partnerships

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 NATO Allies – bound together by the principle of consensus decision-making – work together through a relatively small number of structures that interact on a daily basis.

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 arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation; energy security; climate change; science; and gender and human security.