A military alliance is a legally binding treaty between two or more parties in which the contracting parties agree to mutually protect one another militarily in case of an armed conflict. Military alliances differ from coalitions, which are formed in response to a specific crisis and last until the crisis is resolved. Military alliances can be bilateral or multilateral. Numerous forms of military and defensive alliances have existed between states since early human history. This is a comprehensive list of former and present military alliances.
↑ "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." — First paragraph, Article 5, "The North Atlantic Treaty". www.nato.int. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
↑ "If one of the Member States undergoes aggression (armed attack menacing to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty), it will be considered by the Member States as aggression (armed attack menacing to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty) to all the Member States of this Treaty. In case of aggression commission (armed attack menacing to safety, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty) to any of the Member States, all the other Member States at request of this Member State shall immediately provide the latter with the necessary help, including military one, as well as provide support by the means at their disposal in accordance with the right to collective defence pursuant to article 51 of the UN Charter." — First and second paragraphs, Article 4, "COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY". www.en.odkb-csto.org. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
↑ "Washington D.C. - 4 April 1949" — "The North Atlantic Treaty". www.nato.int. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
↑ "This Treaty, of which the English and French texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America. Duly certified copies will be transmitted by that Government to the Governments of other signatories." — Article 14, "The North Atlantic Treaty". www.nato.int. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
↑ "This Treaty shall be subject to ratification by each state which has signed it according to its constitutional procedures. Instruments of ratification shall be transferred for storage to the Secretary General of Council for Collective Security (of the Collective Security Treaty Organization), hereby appointed as the depositary." — Third paragraph, Article 11, "COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY". www.en.odkb-csto.org. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
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