What Does NATO Stand for & Why Does it Matter?

NATO flag

Formed in 1949, NATO is a security alliance of 30 countries from North America and Europe. However, many people are wondering, “what does NATO stand for, and what does NATO do?” The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is comprised of a political and military component that allows member countries and partner counters to work together to bring about peace and stability. With Gateway Cable Company, let’s dive deeper into the history of the organization, and why NATO matters.

What Does NATO Do?

Let’s first answer, “what does NATO stand for?” NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization and began with 12 countries — Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Over its 70-year history has grown to include 30 member countries and over 40 partner countries. The alliance was created to protect the Allies’ freedom and security through political and military means, but what does NATO do?

The alliance was built around Article 5 of the Washington Treaty’s principle of collective defense: an attack against one Ally is an attack against all. That means in the event of a crisis or if a NATO Ally is attacked, all NATO Allies work together to provide aid and protect communities affected by the unrest.

Why Does NATO Matter?

Through its long history, NATO has built a solid foundation of consultation and cooperation through the political and military alliances to find a peaceful resolution to disputes. Why NATO matters and the effects of NATO partnerships are reflected in our everyday lives in the normalization and stability of global trade.

The NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue (NIAPC) provides civil and military bodies with a catalog of products that have been evaluated and certified to meet NATO’s national or international qualifications. This means that NATO-approved and tested products also have the advantage of coming in at a more affordable price and in a more timely manner from manufacturers that have access to the NATO database.

Learn More About NATO Products with Gateway Cable Company

As you can see, NATO has an effect on the work we do and the products we purchase. For example, learn about how NATO benefits military-grade electrical components, or take a closer look at certified parts like the NATO Electrical Connectors or NATO Field Plugs. Then, reach out to our team at Gateway Cable Company if you have any questions about other NATO products.