What is Article 5 ʹ, and how can it lead us to World War 3?

As world leaders try to reveal details about last night's missile attack on NATO member Poland, there is further uncertainty whether the Western alliance will promote implementation of NATO's nines 4 and 5.

The rocket, which Polish authorities believe is produced by Russia, killed two people at a wheat factory in Przewow, a village in Poland located about 6km from the Ukrainian border.

Questions remain which one is responsible for the missile attack.

If determined that Moscow was guilty of the explosion, it could promote NATO's collective defence principle known as Article 5, in which an attack on one of the members of the Western alliance is seen as an attack on all.

What is NATO's Article 4?

If any NATO member in this case Poland feels that its territory, political independence or security is under threat, they could seek a NATO meeting under Article 4.

This is a call for consultations among allies in the face of a security threat, allowing more time to determine what steps should be taken.

At this stage of the process, Allies are able to exchange views and information, and discuss the issue before reaching an agreement and action company.

Within hours of the outbreak in Poland on Tuesday evening, two European diplomats said Warsaw called for a NATO meeting under Article 4 for consultations.

Article 4 of NATO's treaty is seen as a starting point for major NATO operations, as it could lead to the promotion of Article 5.

When can Article 4 be called?

Article 4 has been officially called seven times since the alliance's founding in 1949.

For example, on February 24, 2022, Bulgaria, Chekhia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia sought to hold consultations according to Article 4 following Ukraine's Russian invasion.

Poland called Article 4 in 2014 after increasing tensions in Ukraine, as a result of Russia's aggressive actions.

Turkey has also been summoned to Article 4 in many cases, as in 2015 following terrorist attacks.

What's Article 5?

Article 5 is the cornerstone of NATO's treaty, which was established in 1949 with the American Army as its main pillar and the core purpose of its creation was to oppose the Soviet Union and its satellites of the eastern bloc during the Cold War.

The Charter stipulates that NATO members agree that an armed attack against one or more of them will be considered an attack against all”.

If such an attack occurs, every member of NATO will help the country that has been attacked with any “action it sees necessary”.

This could include using the armed force with the aim of restoring and preserving the North Atlantic area's security.

What does it mean to be called Article 5?

If Poland is to promote Article 4 of the NATO treaty and call a meeting to discuss the security threat, the alliance could decide to activate Article 5.

What this may mean depends on the action that the alliance decides to take, as the statute predicts members can take any action they deem necessary.

This may include using the armed force but this should be decided by the alliance.

When was Article 5 called?

Article 5 was activated only once, and this was on behalf of the United States in response to the 11 September terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.