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Representatives of NATO countries gathered at the NATO summit held at Washington DC in July 2024, symbolizing the 75th anniversary of the coalition.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit is starting from today in The Hague City, Netherlands. Nato, made 76 years ago, is the world’s strongest military organization on the basis of America, but today it is in its worst phase. US President Donald Trump has expressed unhappiness about NATO several times.
The meeting of this time is believed to be in the most important meetings in the history of NATO as it is happening at a time when the war continues in Russia-Ukraine, Iran-Israel war has started in the Middle East and the whole world economy is unstable.
In such a situation, you know what is Nato? Why was it established? Why is Trump criticizing NATO countries?
Soviet Union allegations of rigging in elections, then NATO
After the Second World War, the USSR i.e. the Soviet Union (today’s Russia) helped form communist governments in Poland, East Germany, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. He was also accused of rigging the election.
The Soviet Union was also planned to dominate the Turks and Greece. The Soviet Union wanted to control the world’s trade through Black C from control over these two countries. Western countries considered these steps of the USSR like an invasion. These countries feared that Communism would spread throughout Europe.
To deal with this, the US announced Truman Doctrine (Truman Siddhant) in 1947. Under this, he said to support the countries opposing Communism. Along with this, the US introduced a martial plan for the financial assistance and re-development of European countries destroyed in the Second World War. It was officially called the European Recovery Program.
The countries of Western Europe signed a security agreement to counter the dangers of the USSR. In 1948, Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Brussels. However, these countries needed America to compete with the Soviet Union. So he demanded a large military alliance.
On 4 April 1949, 12 countries, including the US, signed the North Atlantic Treaty and formed NATO. According to Article 5 of this agreement, if one member country is attacked, then all member countries will protect it.
France separated from NATO, joined again after 43 years
In 1966, France partially separated itself from NATO. The then President Charls de Gaul believed that the US and Britain had more influence in this organization and this is affecting France’s sovereignty.
Gaul wanted France’s military policy not to have foreign control. As a result, France separated itself from NATO’s joint military command. He removed the NATO headquarters and American troops in the country. However, France remained a political member of the organization and in 2009, France became the military member of NATO during President Nicolas Sarkozy’s reign.
Greece left Nato after a Turki dispute
In 1974, there was a coup in Cyprus, which was supported by Greece. Its purpose was to mix Cyprus with Greece. Angered by this, the Turkes attacked Cyprus and captured one third of his area.
Both Greece and Turkas were members of NATO. Greece felt that NATO did not try to stop the Turks. Greece got angry and separated himself from Nato’s military activities, although he also remained a political member. Six years later, in 1980, Greece again joined NATO by military mediation.
There were many more controversies between NATO countries
Türkiye and America also have severe tension. The US, especially during the Syrian conflict, supported the Kurdish fighters, which the Turkas consider to be a terrorist organization. This led to a deep dispute between the two countries.
Apart from this, Turki also bought the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. This also became a major issue between the two countries. The US described it as a threat to NATO security and in response, Turkey was dropped from the F-35 fighter jet program.
Hungary, the country of Eastern Europe, has also been a matter of concern for Western countries many times. Prime Minister Victor Orban is accused of weakening democracy and freedom of the press. Hungary’s foreign policy often appears close to Russia. Many proposals related to Ukraine have also been veto by Hungary, which has affected NATO decisions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) with Hungary Prime Minister Victor Orban (left). The picture is of 2019 Budapest.
Trump threatens to leave NATO
US President Donald Trump has also expressed displeasure over NATO. Trump repeatedly said that the European countries are not spending enough for their safety and the US is bearing all the burden. He even said that if the European countries do not spend 2% GDP on defense, then the US can also move away from the organization.
Donald Trump has been advocating the US out of NATO for the last two decades. As the presidential candidate in 2016, Trump said that if Russia attacks Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), they will help only after seeing whether they have completed their duty for America or not.
Trump believes that the European countries are enjoying NATO facilities at the US expenses. After becoming President in 2017, he had threatened to leave NATO. Trump had clearly stated in an interview in 2024 that the countries which are spending less than 2% on their defense budget, if Russia attacks them, America will not come to help them. On the contrary, they will encourage Russia to attack.
Europe on the trust of America for security
After the Second World War (1939–45), Europe had become economically and military weakened economically. On the other hand, America emerged as the world’s biggest power after dropping atomic bombs on Japan.
America had the world’s most powerful army and nuclear weapons. He provided nuclear security to European countries. European countries did not need to develop their nuclear weapons from this.
The US, especially the European countries guarantees nuclear security against nuclear attacks from Russia. This reduces the military expenses of European countries.
America’s strong military presence in Europe. More than 1 million American soldiers are present in Germany, Poland and Britain. The US has built military base here and deployed missile defense systems. The presence of America assures Europe of security.
Europe’s military power on the other hand is limited. Most European countries spend less on defense than America. The European Union (EU) does not have organized army like NATO. Even powerful countries like Germany and France are dependent on America for intelligence and technology.
If the US leaves the alliance, Europe will need to meet its plans and spend- perhaps 3 percent. They have to bridge the lack of ammunition, transport, fuel aircraft, command and control system, satellites, drones, etc., which are currently provided by the US.
NATO members such as UK and France have 500 atmy weapons, while Russia alone has 6000. If America goes out of NATO, the alliance will have to give a fresh shape to its nuclear-policy.