Abstract:

In the post-World War II period, the Soviet threat manifested itself in Europe and the Caucasus. The USA and European countries have developed a common defence force against this threat. For this reason, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established in 1949 by 12 countries. This Organization’s purpose is to ensure the security of member states through political and military means, collective defense, and world peace. In line with these purposes, it has reached the present day by improving and updating itself. Turkey, which opposed Soviet Russia’s expansionist policies during the Cold War, joined NATO in 1952. After the end of the Cold War, it completed its founding purpose. However, the Organization did not disintegrate and continued to exist within the framework of new missions, and its work has continued for more than 70 years. Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO, is essential for both Turkey’s security and NATO’s future to continue its contributions. This framework examined the general situation of NATO, Turkey’s membership, and Turkey’s contributions to NATO and cooperation within the Organization.

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