As nations around the world seek to protect their sovereignty and maintain their security, international agreements on national defense often play a crucial role. Here are five of the most important national defense agreements currently in effect:

1. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Established in 1949, NATO is a military alliance of 30 European and North American countries. Its primary objective is the collective defense of its members against any potential security threats. Article 5 of the NATO treaty states that an armed attack against any member shall be considered an attack against all members, and the alliance is committed to using all necessary means to defend its members.

2. Warsaw Pact

Formed in 1955 as a response to the establishment of NATO, the Warsaw Pact was a military alliance of eight Eastern European communist states, led by the Soviet Union. The pact was dissolved in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Established in 2001, the SCO is an intergovernmental organization that includes China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as full members. The organization`s key goals are to promote regional economic cooperation and combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism. In recent years, the SCO has also increased its focus on defense cooperation and joint military exercises.

4. Five Eyes

The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance between five English-speaking countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The alliance was formed in the aftermath of World War II to share intelligence among its members and conduct joint surveillance activities. The alliance has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and concerns over privacy violations.

5. Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)

The ANZUS Treaty, signed in 1951, is a security alliance that includes the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. The treaty obligates each member to come to the aid of the others in the event of an armed attack in the Pacific region. The treaty has been invoked only once, following the September 11 attacks in the United States.

Overall, international agreements on national defense are crucial for maintaining global stability and security. While these five agreements are among the most prominent, there are many other agreements and alliances that play a vital role in shaping international defense policy.