A History 

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded on April 4, 1949. Its creation was driven post-WWII by the urgent need to ensure collective security against the growing threat of Soviet expansion—and the prospective dangers that entailed. Where once an ally during WWII, Russia quickly became a threat to the values of the United States and several like-minded nations. The alliance was made up of 12 founding members, including the United States (U.S.), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. 

Amidst the instability of Europe post-WWII, and the growing influence of the Soviet Union, NATO was founded to serve as a collective defense alliance—with the core principle that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all, which remains reflected in Article 5 of the NATO Charter. This principle was invoked for the first, and only, time after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, which reflected both a show of solidarity for the U.S. as well as an understanding from non-NATO nations that the alliance means business, and won’t be tested. 

While many historical events occurred leading to the creation of NATO, the 1947 Cold War with Russia served as an impetus for involvement for those concerned about Nuclear warfare and the radical and communistic views of the Soviets. NATO served as a critical counterbalance to that instability and to the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact, which was signed in 1955. As we know, no Nuclear Warfare occurred, and the Soviet Union fell in 1991, thus ending the Cold War. Rather than disbanding, NATO adapted to new security challenges, including: regional conflicts in Europe, terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and a focus on instability in both Eastern Europe and the Middle East, all of which showcased Russian involvement—and a new threat to the values of the West, China.   

NATO now includes 32 member countries, with newer members like Poland (a prior Warsaw Treaty Organization member, which also pays the highest GDP percentage), the Baltic states, and Finland strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank, a nod to Russia that the alliance has only strengthened in number, and in purpose. In fact, the remnants of every former Warsaw Pact member state are now comfortably settled into NATO.

The Role of the United States 

The U.S. has been the cornerstone of NATO since its founding and provides the largest share of military funding and capabilities. As a nation with great economic successes and the world’s strongest military and capabilities, the U.S. has historically shaped NATO’s strategic direction, policies, and priorities. While NATO doesn’t solely focus on defense initiatives, it is important to note just how significant the U.S. contributions are to that front and why President Trump has pressed so firmly on member states raising their contribution levels to those more appropriate to the share in which they would use NATO resources, considering further Russian aggression and expansion. 

In 2024, NATO’s total defense spending across all 32 member states was about $1.3 trillion; the U.S. alone contributed around $860 billion, roughly 70% of that total. The U.S. also contributes the bulk of NATO’s military resources in reserve, including nuclear deterrence, weaponry, advanced technology, and rapid force deployment capabilities. 

For those criticizing the President’s position on expecting other NATO nations to pay more, here is an analogy: 

  • Your child attends high school “X.” (U.S.)
  • High school “Y” (all other NATO nations) is the high school of your neighbors and friends in the next city over. 
  • The policies and programs happening within their halls are of little daily import to your family. The county issues a notice to those in your zip code that your property taxes will increase to cover 70% of the programs provided in the neighboring district. 
  • Those families whose kids attend high school “Y,” will pay no extra, yet reap all of the benefits from the rise in your taxes. In fact, they will take the money and programs provided by your taxes, and be hyper-critical of all of the perceived shortfalls of your high school, “X.”
  • While the extra money will make your neighbor’s kids smarter, safer, and result in better outcomes for the state overall, that money could be used for you, your family, and your resources. You understand the importance of both schools having high-performing students and strong outcomes, but fairness? Equality? Considering they are paying no additional taxes, those words are not really on the table in that scenario.

In this analogy, President Trump is stating that the U.S. will continue to pay the 70%, but he wants Europe, high school “Y,”  to have more skin in the game. If it’s a reasonable expectation for your neighbors, it is a reasonable request of your nation. 

Despite occasional political tensions between the nations, and major current differences in the U.S. view of safe and secure immigration policies, the U.S. remains the clear leader of NATO. While the U.S. could survive healthily on an island of its own, a great distance from the Eastern Hemisphere, its commitment to transatlantic security continues to highlight the alliance’s relevance, and strength, in the 21st century.