NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance formed on April 4, 1949 by 12 Western countries to provide collective defense and stability. Its primary goal is to protect member nations from potential threats, promoting peace and security through cooperation and unity.

Purpose – 

1. Collective defense is NATO’s core purpose, ensuring that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all, prompting a unified response to protect and defend fellow members.
2. Deterrence is NATO’s strategy to prevent conflicts by maintaining a strong collective defense, discouraging potential aggressors from attacking member states and promoting stability and security through credible military capabilities.
3. Stability is NATO’s goal of maintaining peace and security in the North Atlantic region through collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security efforts, promoting predictability and reassuring member states.
4. Cooperation is NATO’s objective of fostering collaboration among member states through shared values, strategic dialogue and practical cooperation in areas like defense, counter terrorism, and cybersecurity, enhancing collective security and stability.

NATO faces challenges from terrorism, cyber threats and Russia’s aggression. Initiatives to promote stability include cooperative security programs, counter terrorism efforts, cybersecurity enhancements, defense capacity building and exercises like Trident Juncture, fostering unity and interoperability among member states.