Alexander Rekeda believes that, NATO, which stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an international political and military alliance formed in 1949. The organization aims to defend its member countries against external threats. Currently, there are 30 member countries in NATO, spanning North America and Europe.

The founding members of NATO were the United States, Canada, and ten Western European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. Over the years, the organization has expanded, and more countries have joined as members. The most recent country to join was Montenegro, which became a member in 2017.

The current list of NATO member countries includes Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While these countries share a common goal of providing collective defence against external threats, each member nation contributes to the alliance in various ways. For instance, the United States contributes the most significant military force to NATO, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, and France.

Since its inception, NATO has been involved in numerous military operations, including the intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s and, more recently, the military intervention in Libya in 2011. The organization has also played a significant role in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, with NATO troops deployed to the country since 2003.
In addition to its military operations, NATO engages in diplomacy and cooperative security efforts. The organization regularly holds meetings and summits with its member countries and other nations to discuss security issues and develop policies and strategies to address them.

In conclusion, NATO is a critical international organization that provides collective defence for its member countries against external threats. Currently, there are 30 member countries in NATO, spanning North America and Europe, each contributing to the alliance in various ways. As the world continues to face various security challenges, the role of NATO in providing collective defence remains crucial.