December 12, 2016
We need to talk about NATO
Dear NATO and European ministers of defense,
I know you’re worried. You’re worried that the United States is about to have a commander in chief who has called the NATO alliance “obsolete.” You’re worried by Donald Trump’s campaign promise to defend NATO allies only if they meet their “obligations.” If you’re not spending the recommend 2 percent of GDP on defense, in other words, America’s next president may not meet our Article 5 commitments to defend you. And you’re worried about what Trump’s ever -amous “America First” slogan will mean in practice.
Don’t panic. Instead, use the coming weeks to put together a plan, both individually and collectively. That plan should have three core objectives: lay out the facts, get your house in order, and prepare for 2017’s NATO Summit in Brussels.
Read the full article at Politico.
More from CNAS
-
The 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall with Ambassador Dan Fried
Podcast
Ambassador Dan Fried, Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council, joins Dr. Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend to discuss the state of European and America...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Ambassador Dan Fried
-
Not Enough Maritime Capability
Reports
Lt. Col. Colin Smith (USMC) and Jim Townsend outline the United States’ projected shortfalls in sealift capacity needed to reinforce Europe in a time of crisis....
By LtCol Colin Smith & Jim Townsend
-
Norway, NATO, and the High North with Norwegian State Secretary Audun Halvorsen
Podcast
Audun Halvorsen, State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joins Dr. Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend to discuss Norwegian foreign policy, what the A...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Audun Halvorsen
-
Germany and the State of the Transatlantic Relationship with Julie Smith
Podcast
Julie Smith, Director of the Asia Program at The German Marshall Fund, joins Dr. Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend to recap her year as the Weizsäcker Fellow at the Rober...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Julianne Smith
