Former President Mike Pence’s lobbying group, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), sent a memo to Congress highlighting concerns over NATO countries failing to meet their defense spending commitments. The memo emphasizes that if NATO allies don’t increase their military spending, it could lead to U.S. troops being drawn into a conflict with Russia.
According to AAF, many NATO countries have not met the agreed-upon 2% of GDP spending on defense, leaving the U.S. with a disproportionate burden. The memo notes that during Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, only a few countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Greece, met their obligations.
Under the Biden administration, some NATO countries, such as Turkey, Norway, and Italy, have even decreased their defense spending, despite overall growth in military expenditures. AAF argues that this trend is particularly concerning for countries bordering Russia and Ukraine, as they should bear more responsibility for regional security.
The memo stresses the importance of NATO members fulfilling their commitments to ensure effective deterrence against Russian aggression. Failure to do so, AAF warns, could lead to Russia invading a NATO ally, necessitating U.S. military intervention under the alliance’s mutual defense pledge.
Marc Short, chairman of the AAF board, criticized NATO for the U.S. disproportionately covering the costs of defense. He pointed out that while the Biden administration has failed to hold members accountable for their spending obligations, only one NATO member has met the 2% threshold.
Recent developments, such as the slow delivery of vital weapons to Ukraine and NATO’s admission of failing to provide promised military aid, underscore the urgency of addressing these issues. The U.S. Congress recently passed a substantial aid package for Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia, highlighting ongoing concerns about regional security.
