But is the world's largest military alliance ready to defend itself?

Marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, this documentary looks at the past, present and future of NATO. Among other things, it sheds light on vulnerabilities. For example, Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty is anything but binding. Unanimity among the member states is a prerequisite -- but by no means a certainty. And there are only partial guarantees in place when it comes to the speed with which troops and supplies must be delivered in extreme situations.

 

 

The film embarks on a journey across the Alliance's territory. The filmmakers visit Tallinn, in Estonia, where NATO's Cyber Defence Centre is located. From here they travel on to Ulm, in Germany, where the deployment of troops and supplies is organized. The next stop is NATO headquarters in Brussels, where political decisions are made. The film hears from high-ranking current and former NATO generals and security experts along the way.

 

With the help of international historians, the documentary also looks back on the 75-year history of NATO. Founded after the devastating experiences of the Second World War, the alliance’s architects wanted to deter enemies. But even more importantly, they wanted to secure peace among the alliance partners - not least out of fears of Germany regaining strength. 

The documentary draws on previously unseen archival film material: NATO portraits of member countries filmed in the 1950s to give soldiers a better understanding of one another’s countries and thus enhance cohesion.

Important eyewitnesses, including Donald Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton and diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, are featured. They provide context for recent NATO developments: How close was the US to leaving NATO in 2018? And what would the consequences have been? Was a promise really made not to expand NATO eastwards after the collapse of the Soviet Union? The film seeks an answer to this question, which continues to shape Russia's relationship with NATO to this day. 

 

Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

Part 1

THU 04.04.2024 – 01:15 UTC
THU 04.04.2024 – 04:15 UTC
THU 04.04.2024 – 18.15 UTC 
FRI 05.04.2024 – 09:15 UTC
FRI 05.04.2024 - 15:15 UTC
FRI 05.04.2024 - 21:15 UTC
SAT 06.04.2024 – 19:15 UTC
SUN 07.04.2024 – 02:15 UTC
MON 08.04.2024 - 12:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 I Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -4

 

Part 2

THU 11.04.2024 – 01:15 UTC
THU 11.04.2024 – 04:15 UTC
THU 11.04.2024 – 18.15 UTC 
FRI 12.04.2024 – 09:15 UTC
FRI 12.04.2024 - 15:15 UTC
FRI 12.04.2024 - 21:15 UTC
SAT 13.04.2024 – 19:15 UTC
SUN 14.04.2024 – 02:15 UTC
MON 15.04.2024 - 12:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 I Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -4