nonaligned

Nonaligned is an adjective used to describe individuals, groups, or states that do not formalize alliances with any major political or military bloc. The term is most closely associated with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a group of states that sought to remain independent of the United States‑led Western bloc and the Soviet‑led Eastern bloc during the Cold War.

Historically, nonalignment emerged from the Bandung Conference of 1955, where leaders from Asia and Africa advocated a third path for newly independent nations. The NAM was established in 1961 in Belgrade by leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Josip Broz Tito, Kwame Nkrumah, and Sukarno, along with many member states and diplomats. The movement articulated principles including sovereign equality, noninterference in domestic affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, opposition to colonialism and racism, disarmament, and the pursuit of development.

Practically, nonalignment has functioned as a forum for dialogue and coordination among its members rather than a formal military alliance. It conducts summits and coordinates positions on issues such as decolonization, disarmament, development, and reform of international institutions. Membership spans Africa, Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere, and the group has fluctuated in influence as geopolitical dynamics have evolved.

Today, nonalignment is often described as a general posture rather than a strict policy, with many former NAM members engaging with major powers while maintaining independence in foreign policy. Critics point to its lack of cohesion and the absence of centralized decision-making, while supporters view it as a platform for south-south cooperation and advocacy for less powerful countries.