Abstract
The paper aims at a retrospective analysis of the evolution of the NATO in the context of the new security challenges that have arisen, especially in the eastern and northeastern areas of Europe, and of the factors that have substantially contributed to the strategic orientation of the political-military organization, acting both from within, as well as from without. The work follows in stages the events that had a major impact on the positioning of the Alliance in one direction or another, while remaining consistent with the principles established in the Washington Treaty. Descouragement and defense are only part of the Alliance's eighth strategic concept.