Timeline of NATO expansion since 1949
FILE - Secretary of State Dean Acheson signs the Atlantic defense treaty for the United States, April 4, 1949. Vice President Alben W. Barkley, left, and President Harry Truman converse during the signing. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Top generals of the Warsaw Treaty shake hands during a meeting in Moscow, Soviet Union, Monday March 25, 1991. From left to right: Rumanian Mircea Constantinescu; Bulgarian Penyu Kostadinov; Soviet General Vladimir Lyubov; Hungarian Robert Seles; and Czech Michal Gondech, met for the last time, as the treaty will be dissolved March 31, 1991. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Hungarian T-72 armoured tanks during a military drill in the Bakony Hill in Veszprem Country. Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic will become full members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 12, 1999. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Russian president Vladimir Putin, left, and President Bush share a word at the end of the signing ceremony for the NATO Russia summit in the Pratica di Mare Air Force base on the outskirts of Rome, Tuesday May 28, 2002. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
FILE - British peacekeeper Pvt. Sean Knight of Petersbourough talks with Afghan children during a stop while patrolling a village in Kabul, Afghanistan Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, a day after NATO took over command of the 5,000-strong of the ISAF. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File)
FILE - NATO leaders and delegates take part in a session with invitees, at the NATO Summit conference in Bucharest, Thursday April 3, 2008. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - An anti-NATO protester making a mocking gesture to a poster with a photograph of U.S. President George W. Bush while rallying at the central Independence square to protest Bush’s visit and Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, March 31, 2008. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)
FILE - An Albanian NATO symbol set up at Mother Teresa Square as preparations continue for the country’s membership into the alliance in Tirana Saturday, April 4, 2009. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina, File)
FILE - U.S. soldiers part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) walks, as a U.S. Chinook helicopter is seen on the back ground near the place where the foundation of a hospital was laid in Shindand, Herat, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hoshang Hashimi, File)
FILE - A Romanian IAR99 fighter jet fires its canons during a joint NATO US-Romanian military exercise in Cincu, central Romania, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - Soldiers from Montenegro unfurl the national flag during a ceremony to mark the accession of Montenegro at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)
FILE - Paratroopers take part in an exercise of the U.S. Army Global Response Force in Hohenfels, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, participates in a media conference with Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, left, and Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde, right, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, File)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, center, puts his arm on the shoulder of U.S. President Joe Biden, center left, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as they speak at a group photo during an extraordinary NATO summit at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army clean weaponry ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg, N.C. on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Nathan Posner, File)
FILE - Secretary of State Dean Acheson signs the Atlantic defense treaty for the United States, April 4, 1949. Vice President Alben W. Barkley, left, and President Harry Truman converse during the signing. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Secretary of State Dean Acheson signs the Atlantic defense treaty for the United States, April 4, 1949. Vice President Alben W. Barkley, left, and President Harry Truman converse during the signing. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Top generals of the Warsaw Treaty shake hands during a meeting in Moscow, Soviet Union, Monday March 25, 1991. From left to right: Rumanian Mircea Constantinescu; Bulgarian Penyu Kostadinov; Soviet General Vladimir Lyubov; Hungarian Robert Seles; and Czech Michal Gondech, met for the last time, as the treaty will be dissolved March 31, 1991. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Top generals of the Warsaw Treaty shake hands during a meeting in Moscow, Soviet Union, Monday March 25, 1991. From left to right: Rumanian Mircea Constantinescu; Bulgarian Penyu Kostadinov; Soviet General Vladimir Lyubov; Hungarian Robert Seles; and Czech Michal Gondech, met for the last time, as the treaty will be dissolved March 31, 1991. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Hungarian T-72 armoured tanks during a military drill in the Bakony Hill in Veszprem Country. Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic will become full members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 12, 1999. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Hungarian T-72 armoured tanks during a military drill in the Bakony Hill in Veszprem Country. Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic will become full members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 12, 1999. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - Russian president Vladimir Putin, left, and President Bush share a word at the end of the signing ceremony for the NATO Russia summit in the Pratica di Mare Air Force base on the outskirts of Rome, Tuesday May 28, 2002. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
FILE - Russian president Vladimir Putin, left, and President Bush share a word at the end of the signing ceremony for the NATO Russia summit in the Pratica di Mare Air Force base on the outskirts of Rome, Tuesday May 28, 2002. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
FILE - British peacekeeper Pvt. Sean Knight of Petersbourough talks with Afghan children during a stop while patrolling a village in Kabul, Afghanistan Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, a day after NATO took over command of the 5,000-strong of the ISAF. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File)
FILE - British peacekeeper Pvt. Sean Knight of Petersbourough talks with Afghan children during a stop while patrolling a village in Kabul, Afghanistan Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, a day after NATO took over command of the 5,000-strong of the ISAF. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File)
FILE - NATO leaders and delegates take part in a session with invitees, at the NATO Summit conference in Bucharest, Thursday April 3, 2008. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - NATO leaders and delegates take part in a session with invitees, at the NATO Summit conference in Bucharest, Thursday April 3, 2008. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - An anti-NATO protester making a mocking gesture to a poster with a photograph of U.S. President George W. Bush while rallying at the central Independence square to protest Bush’s visit and Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, March 31, 2008. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)
FILE - An anti-NATO protester making a mocking gesture to a poster with a photograph of U.S. President George W. Bush while rallying at the central Independence square to protest Bush’s visit and Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, March 31, 2008. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)
FILE - An Albanian NATO symbol set up at Mother Teresa Square as preparations continue for the country’s membership into the alliance in Tirana Saturday, April 4, 2009. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina, File)
FILE - An Albanian NATO symbol set up at Mother Teresa Square as preparations continue for the country’s membership into the alliance in Tirana Saturday, April 4, 2009. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina, File)
FILE - U.S. soldiers part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) walks, as a U.S. Chinook helicopter is seen on the back ground near the place where the foundation of a hospital was laid in Shindand, Herat, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hoshang Hashimi, File)
FILE - U.S. soldiers part of the NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) walks, as a U.S. Chinook helicopter is seen on the back ground near the place where the foundation of a hospital was laid in Shindand, Herat, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hoshang Hashimi, File)
FILE - A Romanian IAR99 fighter jet fires its canons during a joint NATO US-Romanian military exercise in Cincu, central Romania, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - A Romanian IAR99 fighter jet fires its canons during a joint NATO US-Romanian military exercise in Cincu, central Romania, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
FILE - Soldiers from Montenegro unfurl the national flag during a ceremony to mark the accession of Montenegro at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)
FILE - Soldiers from Montenegro unfurl the national flag during a ceremony to mark the accession of Montenegro at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)
FILE - Paratroopers take part in an exercise of the U.S. Army Global Response Force in Hohenfels, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Paratroopers take part in an exercise of the U.S. Army Global Response Force in Hohenfels, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, participates in a media conference with Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, left, and Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde, right, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, File)
FILE - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, participates in a media conference with Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, left, and Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde, right, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, File)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, center, puts his arm on the shoulder of U.S. President Joe Biden, center left, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as they speak at a group photo during an extraordinary NATO summit at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, center, puts his arm on the shoulder of U.S. President Joe Biden, center left, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as they speak at a group photo during an extraordinary NATO summit at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
FILE - Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army clean weaponry ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg, N.C. on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Nathan Posner, File)
FILE - Members of the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army clean weaponry ahead of deployment to Poland from Fort Bragg, N.C. on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto is expected to announce his stance on NATO membership on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Nathan Posner, File)
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Finland and Sweden are nearing decisions on whether to ditch their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and join NATO in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
They would become the 31st and 32nd members of the trans-Atlantic alliance, which was founded by the U.S. and 11 other countries following World War II. Here’s a timeline showing key developments in NATO’s history.
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1949: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is founded to deter Soviet expansion and a revival of European militarism. The 12 original members are the United States, Canada, Britain, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal.
1952: Greece and Turkey join in the alliance’s first expansion.
1955: West Germany joins NATO. In response, the Soviet Union and seven countries in Eastern Europe form the eight-nation Warsaw Pact.
1982: Spain becomes the 16th member of NATO.
1991: The Soviet Union collapses and the Warsaw Pact is dissolved.
1994: Finland and Sweden join NATO’s Partnership for Peace program. The following year they join the European Union, effectively ceasing to be neutral, but remaining military nonaligned.
1999: Three former Warsaw Pact nations — the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland — join NATO.
2001: Article 5 in the NATO treaty, which stipulates that an attack on any NATO member is an attack on all, is triggered for the first time after the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
2002: The NATO-Russia Council is formed to help NATO members and Russia to work together on security issues.
2003: NATO takes command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF).
2004: The biggest NATO expansion to date as seven countries become members: Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The latter three are the only former Soviet republics to have joined the alliance.
2008: NATO countries welcome Ukraine and Georgia’s aspirations to join the alliance, angering Russia. In August, Russia wins a short war with Georgia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Moscow recognizes as independent states.
2009: Croatia and Albania become NATO members.
2011: NATO enforces a no-fly zone over Libya. Sweden takes part with fighter jets on reconnaissance missions.
2014: NATO suspends most cooperation with Russia after its annexation of Crimea.
2015: NATO ends the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. The alliance remains in Afghanistan to train local security forces until the Taliban takeover in 2021.
2017: Montenegro joins NATO.
2020: North Macedonia becomes NATO’s 30th member.
2022: Sweden and Finland explore the possibility of NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.