An Alliance in action
This fact sheet highlights the Atlantic Alliance's ability to adapt and highlights operations as the crucible of its effectiveness. In 2008, a report by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly highlighted the range and diversity of activities carried out by NATO forces: "[The Alliance] has undergone a fundamental transformation from its strictly defensive posture during the Cold War. This evolution has continued in order to better serve the interests of its members and partners. A decade later, in a radically changed geopolitical environment, this transformation has become a revolution; NATO seems to have returned to its original function, that of the 1949 Washington Treaty, that of Article 5 and collective defence.
Putting Allied defence spending into perspective
This fact sheet looks at defence spending by member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. In February 2024, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the unprecedented increase in defence spending by NATO allies, with over 600 billion dollars more invested since 2014. This increase in defence spending is part of a twofold movement: the return of the threat and the pressure exerted by successive US administrations on the necessary level of commitment by the allies.
NATO enlargement, past and present
This fact sheet highlights the process of including new Member States in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. At the Washington Summit on 10 and 11 July 2024, Sweden was welcomed as the 32nd ally. However, the question of NATO enlargement continues to arise for three countries aspiring to join the Alliance: Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and, above all, Ukraine.
The Israel-Hamas conflict - THE ROLE OF THE HEZBOLLAH IN THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT
This fact sheet, written last May, looks at the role played by the Lebanese Hezbollah, a local and regional player, in the current conflict in the Middle East. It briefly outlines the history of the organisation and its relatively cautious initial involvement in the Israel-Hamas war. However, the events of the last few days have raised fears of a major military escalation on the Israeli-Lebanese border.
THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT - ISRAEL'S MISSILE DEFENCE SHIELD
This fact sheet looks at the Israeli short-range missile defence system known as Iron Dome (Kippat Barzel in Hebrew). It describes the history and characteristics of the defence system, including its use in the current Israel-Hamas conflict, some of its limitations, and the prospects for its future development.
THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS - THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND DEFENCE
This fact sheet looks at the role played by the European Union (EU) and in particular the European Parliament in defence matters. It briefly reviews the history of "Defence Europe" and recent developments, particularly in terms of financial and budgetary instruments, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Finally, it analyses the possible impact of the European elections on the future of European defence cooperation.
THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS - FOREIGN INTERFERENCE AND DISINFORMATION IN EUROPE
This fact sheet looks at foreign interference and disinformation in Europe. It presents the actions taken by the various European institutions, particularly during the last term of office of the Commission and Parliament, including the legislative framework and collaboration with the media and civil society, certain limits, and future development prospects.
THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS - THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA
This factsheet looks at economic sanctions against Russia. It presents the sanctions policy practised by the member countries of the European Union (EU) and the G7 and details the rationale behind the implementation of sanctions against Russia, the latest package of which was decided at the beginning of June 2024. Finally, it shows some of the limits of the actions of the "Western alliance" against Russia.
The Israel-Hamas conflict - The strategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
This fact sheet highlights the strategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It describes the importance of this area, which is critical for world trade, analyses the way in which the Strait is currently being used at low cost by the Houthis in Yemen, and concludes with the prospects for developments in the situation, particularly in terms of intervention.
