Nato Meets Amid Calls For Europe ToTriple Military Spending

EUROPE – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as NATO, has opened a pivotal summit in the Netherlands to discuss the future of collective defense in Europe.

The high-stakes meeting comes amid direct pressure from the United States for allied nations to significantly boost their military investments, up to 5 percent of their gross domestic product.

In 2023, the U.S. accounted for 62 percent of NATO’s total defense spending. Now, American officials are calling for greater European commitment in response to growing security threats, including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the recent escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel.

Newly appointed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte endorsed the U.S.-led proposal, calling it a “historic leap.” He emphasized that if implemented, the plan could expand the alliance’s air defense capabilities by as much as fivefold.