The US-Israel war on Iran could push Nato closer to becoming a “nominal” alliance, although it was unlikely to disband any time soon, a Chinese observer said.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the transatlantic defence alliance since returning to the White House last year, accusing allies of “free‑riding” on US security and demanding greater military and financial contributions.
That rhetoric has only intensified in recent weeks, with accusations that Nato was failing to support the US military campaign against Iran.
On Thursday morning, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised in a speech in Washington that “the Allies are doing everything the United States is asking.”
But Rutte admitted that some allies were “a bit slow” on providing “the logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran”.
“Europe is assuming a greater and fairer share of the task of providing for its conventional defence. And from that, there will be no going back, and nor should there be,” Rutte told the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
