The Facts: NATO

  • NATO has an operating budget of 200 billion euros (£171 billion) a year, but is estimated to be running several hundred million euros in the red.
  • Israel was the first non-European countries to be offered membership in NATO. They figured since they had a common enemy–the jihadists. However, even after many talks, the two proposed allies could not come to a mutual agreement and Israel backed out. As such, the organization still does not have any non-European or non-American states as its members.
  • NATO has only ever invoked the Washington Treaty Article 5, which states that an armed attack against one would be considered as an act against them all, applicable to member countries, once in its entire history. It was for the September 11 terrorist attacks against the U.S.

 The Telegraph UK < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8147298/Nato-summit-Five-facts-about-Nato.html>