NATO

What is Nato?
Nato stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Nato is an international organisation which brings together the armies of various countries, including Britain and the United States.

It was formed in 1949, after the end of the Second World War.
Who's part of it?
There are 26 member countries.
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States of America

Who's in charge?
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is the Secretary-General.
The job of secretary-general is held by a senior international statesman chosen by the member nations to chair the supreme decision-making North Atlantic Council.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer became Nato chief at the beginning of 2004. He is a former Dutch foreign minister.



What's the point of it?
The aim of Nato is to ensure that its member countries don't fight each other, and that instead they use their forces to work together for world peace.
Nato has been used increasingly in situations where the world has decided urgent military action is needed.
What does it do?
Nato member countries agree that if any one country is attacked, the other countries will come to help them. It's hoped this will stop military attacks on any Nato country.
Nato countries also join together for international peacekeeping operations, such as in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Where's it based?
Nato's headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.