Policies
NATO Membership
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NATO membership is the question of which states belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries built on a system of collective defense. Joining is governed by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which permits the alliance to invite other European states able to further its principles and contribute to North Atlantic security. A government's position on NATO membership covers both its own participation and its stance on the alliance's enlargement to other states.
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Supports
German: "a central contribution to NATO's deterrence and defense capability." The 2025 Wahlprogramm treats NATO's 2%-of-GDP defense-spending target as a floor, not a ceiling, and commits to expanding the Bundeswehr.
Conservative Party Manifesto 2024, Defence chapter: committed to raising UK defence spending to NATO's 2.5%-of-GDP standard by 2030 and to campaigning for every NATO ally to meet the same baseline.
2024 party platform frames NATO strengthening and Ukraine support as a core Biden-Harris record and commitment.
Conditional
2024 party platform frames continued NATO membership around allied burden-sharing rather than unconditional support.
Sources
Enlargement of NATO (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead sectionQuote, Lead section
a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense
Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future.: The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024 (Conservatives.com)
The Conservative and Unionist PartyPosition Held By: Conservative Party (United Kingdom), Defence chapter, "Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future." (2024 manifesto)Quote, Position Held By: Conservative Party (United Kingdom), Defence chapter, "Clear Plan. Bold Action. Secure Future." (2024 manifesto)
It will protect our security, cement our UK leadership in NATO and create more jobs in the UK.
2024 Republican Party Platform (The American Presidency Project)
Republican National Committee, reproduced by The American Presidency ProjectPosition Held By: Republican Party (United States), Chapter Ten, "Return to Peace Through Strength," Plank 3, "Strengthen Alliances"Quote, Position Held By: Republican Party (United States), Chapter Ten, "Return to Peace Through Strength," Plank 3, "Strengthen Alliances"
ensuring that our Allies must meet their obligations to invest in our Common Defense and by restoring Peace to Europe.
2024 Democratic Party Platform (The American Presidency Project, UCSB)
Democratic National Committee, reproduced by The American Presidency ProjectPosition Held By: Democratic Party (United States), Chapter Nine, "Strengthening American Leadership Worldwide," preambleQuote, Position Held By: Democratic Party (United States), Chapter Nine, "Strengthening American Leadership Worldwide," preamble
We're strengthening NATO and restoring American leadership in the world.
Bundestagswahl 2025: Wahlprogramme zu Verteidigung und NATO (Ohne Ruestung Leben)
Ohne Ruestung Leben, quoting the CDU/CSU 2025 Bundestagswahl Wahlprogramm (adopted 17 December 2024)Position Held By: Christian Democratic Union of Germany, CDU/CSU 2025 Wahlprogramm (adopted 17 December 2024), defense section, as quoted by Ohne Ruestung LebenQuote, Position Held By: Christian Democratic Union of Germany, CDU/CSU 2025 Wahlprogramm (adopted 17 December 2024), defense section, as quoted by Ohne Ruestung Leben
einen zentralen Beitrag zur Abschreckungs- und Verteidigungsfaehigkeit der NATO
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