The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO/OTAN) was formed on April 4, 1949 in the wake of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Twelve countries signed onto the treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Since then NATO has grown to include 32 countries with the most recent additions being Finland and Sweden, both neutral countries for a long time but were spurred to join the alliance when Russia made a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Other countries on the fringes of Russia or that believe they may be the next targets of Russian aggression have applied to become members.

NATO and other European nations

The largest group of European nations not in NATO are those that profess their neutrality. Including nations such as Austria, Ireland, and Switzerland, some have military neutrality enshrined in their constitutions, or because of previous dealings with the great powers.

Some European nations have close cultural and economic ties to Russia, which usually keeps them out of NATO. Examples include countries like Armenia and Belarus, parts of the former Soviet Union.

Ukraine could have been counted among this group until the leader of its Moscow-leaning puppet government fled the country in 2014 during the Euromaidan protests. That prompted Putin to order a covert invasion of the Crimea and south-eastern Ukraine, leading to the nation’s new leaders to seek protection within NATO. Although not a member, it is considered a strategic partner by NATO due to its proximity to Russia —one of the prime reasons for Moscow’s insistence that the country be denied full membership.

President Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to use US-made weapons deep inside Russia to defend itself as the war has now been going on for 1,000 days. That brought a swift rebuke from Putin who changed his countries doctrine on when it will use nuclear weapons to defend itself.

Kosovo was previously Europe’s newest nation, formed from a war in Serbia in 2008. NATO was and is instrumental in keeping the peace, meaning the alliance and Kosovo share a unique relationship. It is not a member but has made overtures to NATO in recent years about becoming one, including a request in February 2022 for a US military base in the country.

Cyprus is in a difficult position. It has professed its desire to join NATO, but the northern half of the country is occupied by Turkish-backed separatist rebels. Turkey, being a NATO member, is unlikely to allow Cyprus’ accession without a resolution to the stalemate.

Is Israel a Member of NATO?

No. There are many reasons, but the first is geographic: Israel isn’t in Europe and it isn’t in the “North Atlantic” as NATO’s name states. Another reason is that it’s unique location makes it prone to armed conflict with its neighbors. NATO has direct contact with Israel and as a partner nation in the Middle East country provides updates and overviews of its defense strategy with the US and other member countries.

Israel is a major strategic partner of NATO, which has strengthened cooperation and increased defense support and infrastructures in the Middle Eastern country. Israel is an active partner with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and in 2017 established a permanent and official mission to NATO headquarters.

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