Decisions taken by a NATO country can have implications for other allies. The transfer of military equipment and technology to third countries could affect regional security and prompt a revision of threat assessments.
但上述第四条仅仅是针对即将到来的威胁。一个北约成员国的决策可以影响到其他盟国。对第三国的军事装备和技术转让可能影响到区域安全，并因此要对威胁态势进行重新评估。