Portugal joins NATO Mediterranean military exercise
Portugal is participating in a large-scale NATO military exercise in the Mediterranean Sea from Monday through Thursday. Known as Neptune Strike 26, the operation is led by the Alliance's Naval Striking and Support Forces, which are based in Oeiras. The exercise involves several member nations, including France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Organização do Tratado do Atlântico Norte or OTAN) is a 32-member alliance facing pressure to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz to secure maritime routes. Disagreement among members regarding this military involvement has led to warnings about the organization's future stability. Portugal has been a member since NATO's founding in 1949 and hosts a major Joint Force Command in Oeiras.
