Updated · Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty · Jul 1
Whitaker Says NATO Iran Rift Has Eased as Allies Face 5% Defense Spending Push
Updated
Updated · Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty · Jul 1
Whitaker Says NATO Iran Rift Has Eased as Allies Face 5% Defense Spending Push
3 articles · Updated · Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty · Jul 1
Summary
Matthew Whitaker said friction inside NATO after recent US strikes on Iran has largely passed, despite earlier allied refusals to grant some base access and overflight permissions.
Next week’s Ankara summit is set to test that claimed unity, with Washington pressing all 32 allies to move toward the 5% of GDP defense target and stronger backing for Ukraine.
$120 billion in additional allied defense spending has been committed since last year’s Hague summit, Whitaker said, with roughly half going to US-made systems.
Ukraine support remains a key plank: Whitaker said NATO’s PURL mechanism has already moved more than $6 billion in US weapons, including Patriot air defenses, to Kyiv.
Turkey plans to use the summit to widen NATO’s agenda toward the Middle East, including Hormuz security and flashpoints in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.