NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an international military alliance of 29 countries from North America and Europe. The organization was founded in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, which established the principles of collective defense and cooperation among its member states. NATO’s headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium, and the organization is responsible for coordinating the defense and security policies of its member states. NATO has played a significant role in conflicts such as the Cold War and the war in Afghanistan, and it continues to be a crucial element of global security and stability.