NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 28 European countries, 2 North American countries, and 1 Eurasian country. The alliance was established in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. In the over 70 years since its formation, NATO has evolved to address changing global circumstances. So in that time, has NATO ever actually gone to war?
Quick answer
Yes, NATO has gone to war a few times since its formation. The main conflicts NATO has been involved in include:
– Kosovo War (1999)
– War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)
– 2011 military intervention in Libya
– Combating piracy off the Horn of Africa
– Training and assistance to Iraqi security forces
However, it’s important to understand the context and nature of each of NATO’s military engagements to fully answer the question of whether the alliance has truly gone to war.
NATO’s founding principles
To understand if and when NATO has gone to war, it helps to first look at the founding principles of the alliance.
NATO was formed in the aftermath of World War II with the primary goal of collective defense. This means that if any one member country is attacked, it will be considered an attack on all alliance members. This is outlined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty:
The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
The key words are “collective defense”. NATO was meant to deter Soviet aggression and prevent war, not to actively engage in warfare as an alliance.
However, the treaty does not outright prohibit military action by NATO. It leaves the door open for collective armed responses ordained by the United Nations Charter if an alliance member is attacked.
So while collective defense is at the core of NATO, offensive warfare is not strictly ruled out according to the original treaty. This helps explain how NATO has found itself engaging in military operations over the years even if it was not initially envisioned as an offensive alliance.
Kosovo War (1999)
The first major combat operation in NATO history was the Kosovo War, an armed conflict between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during 1998 and 1999.
The roots of the war lay in the deteriorating political situation in Kosovo within Yugoslavia due to escalating tensions between the Yugoslav/Serb government and the Kosovo Albanian rebel group known as the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
Ethnic violence dramatically escalated in Kosovo during 1998-99. As humanitarian crises and mass atrocities against Kosovo Albanians unfolded, the international community intervened diplomatically to attempt to quell the violence. But failed diplomatic efforts led NATO to vote to authorize military action against Yugoslavia in March 1999 without the approval of the UN Security Council.
On March 24, 1999, NATO launched Operation Allied Force, a massive bombing campaign targeting Yugoslav military infrastructure and strategic targets. For the next 78 days, NATO aircraft conducted over 38,000 sorties, bombing over 1,000 targets throughout Yugoslavia.
The aims were to destroy Yugoslavia’s capacity to wage war in Kosovo and force the government to cease hostilities against Albanians. Yugoslav forces withdrew from Kosovo in June 1999 and a UN resolution called for a political solution to the conflict, ending the NATO air campaign.
So in this case, NATO did go to war against Yugoslavia by actively carrying out extensive airstrikes for over two and a half months. This was NATO’s first ever combat operation and set the precedent for NATO taking collective military action without explicit UN approval.
Key Facts
- First major NATO combat operation
- Bombing campaign lasted 78 days (March – June 1999)
- Over 38,000 NATO sorties against Yugoslav targets
- Responded to humanitarian crises and violence against Albanians in Kosovo
- Carried out without explicit approval of UN Security Council
War in Afghanistan (2001-2014)
On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda, a militant Sunni Islamist multi-national organization. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, triggering the War on Terror and a US-led invasion of Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban government sheltering al-Qaeda.
In response, NATO officially invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty for the first time in its history. All NATO members pledged support for the US war efforts and recognized the attacks as an attack on the alliance as a whole.
On October 7, 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom began with US and UK airstrikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan. Ground operations by Afghan forces supported by US and NATO troops followed shortly after. This marked the beginning of active NATO involvement in the war.
Over the next 13 years, NATO forces became increasingly engaged in combat operations against the Taliban, air strikes, and security operations across Afghanistan. NATO took command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in 2003. ISAF was tasked with securing Kabul and other strategic areas.
By 2006, NATO troops were actively engaging Taliban fighters and expanding security operations across the country. Troop surges in 2009-2011 intensified NATO combat activity in Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan.
At its peak, NATO had over 130,000 troops from 50 countries stationed in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban insurgency. 5,000 NATO soldiers lost their lives before major combat operations ended in 2014.
So from 2001 to 2014, NATO was extensively involved in active combat throughout the Afghanistan war. They launched offensive operations against the Taliban alongside US forces. This constituted the first major land war for NATO.
Key Facts on NATO in Afghanistan
- Invoked Article 5 for the first time after 9/11 attacks
- NATO assumed control of ISAF forces in 2003
- Conducted offensive combat operations against the Taliban
- Over 130,000 NATO troops deployed at peak
- Ended major combat operations in 2014
2011 Military Intervention in Libya
In 2011, NATO conducted a seven-month military intervention in Libya leading to the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
In February 2011, antigovernment protests erupted in Libya that escalated into an armed conflict between Gaddafi forces and rebel groups seeking regime change. As Gaddafi threatened and attacked civilians, the international community responded with sanctions, asset freezes, and a no-fly zone over Libya enforced by NATO.
NATO began launching airstrikes against Gaddafi forces in March 2011 shortly after the UN approved Resolution 1973 authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians. Over 26,000 sorties and 9,000 strike missions were carried out by NATO aircraft targeting military infrastructure and command centers loyal to Gaddafi.
After seven months of bombing and rebel ground offensives, Tripoli fell to rebel forces in August 2011. Gaddafi was overthrown and captured in October 2011, bringing an end to his 42-year regime.
The Libyan intervention demonstrated NATO’s capability to coordinate complex, multinational air campaigns and conduct sustained offensive operations over several months. This constituted the first offensive operation conducted by NATO in North Africa.
Key Facts on 2011 Libya Intervention
- 26,000 NATO sorties, 9,000 strike missions
- Responded to UN Resolution 1973 protecting civilians
- Targeted Gaddafi military and infrastructure
- Led to Gaddafi overthrow after 7 months
- First NATO campaign in North Africa
Combating Piracy at Sea
Since 2008, NATO has led active naval operations to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa. This constitutes one of the largest maritime security operations in NATO history.
Piracy by Somalian pirates was rampant in the 2000s, threatening vital shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. In 2008, the UN authorized states and regional organizations to undertake all necessary measures to repress piracy and armed robbery at sea.
NATO launched Operation Allied Protector in 2009, which involved NATO surface ships and aircraft patrolling waters and providing escorts to deter pirate attacks. This evolved into Operation Ocean Shield in 2010, which greatly expanded NATO naval operations.
At its peak in 2012, Operation Ocean Shield included contributions from 14 NATO members with dozens of ships, patrol aircraft, and unmanned drones covering over 2 million square miles.
Over the course of several years, NATO forces apprehended dozens of pirate vessels and prevented many more attacks, significantly reducing piracy in the region. Active counter-piracy operations wound down in 2016 as the threat declined.
NATO demonstrated its naval capabilities through substantial combat operations countering piracy far beyond NATO territory. This constituted an out-of-area expeditionary operation unforeseen by NATO’s founding members.
Key Facts on NATO Counter-Piracy
- Launched in response to surge in Somalian piracy in 2000s
- Operation Allied Protector started in 2009
- Expanded to Operation Ocean Shield in 2010
- At peak 14 NATO members with dozens of ships/aircraft
- Apprehended dozens of pirates, prevented many more attacks
Assisting Iraq (2018-Present)
Since 2018, NATO has conducted training and capacity-building operations to assist Iraq in the aftermath of the territorial defeat of ISIL. While acting in a non-combat advisory role, this does constitute NATO involvement and cooperation with Iraqi security forces.
At the request of the Iraqi government, NATO launched a training and capacity-building mission in Iraq in 2018. This followed Iraqi forces regaining control over all territories previously lost to ISIL.
Around several hundred NATO troops were deployed to train Iraqi security and military forces. Troops operated from secure bases concentrated in Baghdad and Erbil.
The mandate focuses on issues like countering improvised explosive devices, civil-military planning, armored vehicle maintenance, and institutional reform. NATO provides funding and expertise but plays a non-combat role.
As of 2022, the NATO advisory mission continues to carry out training activities aimed at strengthening Iraq’s security capacity and ability to prevent the return of ISIL. While not a combat operation, it does demonstrate ongoing NATO security involvement in the Middle East.
Key Facts on NATO Advisory Role in Iraq
- Non-combat training/advising mission
- Launched in 2018 at invitation of Iraqi government
- Hundreds of NATO troops deployed
- Focused on strengthening Iraqi military capacity
- Ongoing as of 2022
Has NATO Conducted Full-Scale War?
Based on the military interventions outlined above, it is clear NATO has conducted combat operations and gone to war in some capacity on multiple occasions over the past three decades. However, some experts argue NATO has never actually waged all-out, full-scale war.
NATO combat missions since the 1990s have been targeted military interventions authorized by the UN and carried out through multilateral cooperation between NATO members. Operations have been limited in scope and duration, with the notable exception of Afghanistan.
Additionally, Article 5 mutual defense requirements have only been invoked once following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. NATO combat missions have been expeditionary offensive actions rather than defensive responses to direct attacks on NATO members.
Finally, NATO itself lacks any standing army, navy, or air force. All operations rely on forces supplied by member states. So NATO serves more as a coordinating organization rather than a fighting force in its own right.
For these reasons, some contend that while NATO has conducted military interventions and combat missions, it has not waged large-scale or total war in the sense of mass mobilization and direct engagement of NATO forces. The scope, scale, and context of NATO operations differ considerably from total wars between countries.
Arguments Against NATO Waging Full-Scale War
- Operations limited in scope and duration
- No standing NATO army, navy, or air force
- Forces supplied by member states on case-by-case basis
- Article 5 only invoked once (9/11 attacks)
- Missions approved by UN resolutions
Conclusion
In review, NATO has carried out multiple combat operations since the end of the Cold War, including bombing campaigns, land operations, and maritime security missions. NATO has demonstrated the capability to coordinate complex military interventions across various domains.
However, the alliance was founded first and foremost as a collective defense organization. All-out offensive warfare was not initially envisioned or strictly authorized by NATO’s charter. The combat missions that have occurred responded to specific threats rather than constituting unilateral NATO aggression.
Most experts concur that NATO’s combat record constitutes going to war in some form. But there are valid arguments that the scope and scale of NATO operations differ considerably from all-out, mass mobilization warfare between major powers that dominated the World Wars.
The strategic purpose and multilateral nature of NATO combat missions contrasts with the total wars waged by countries in the 19th and mid-20th centuries. So while NATO has gone to war in recent decades, it may not have waged full-scale war based on traditional definitions. Debates will likely continue as NATO’s role evolves in the 21st century security landscape.