Do we need a new Nato?
Europe鈥檚 leaders are having to consider whether they could potentially go it alone without American military aid and increase spending on defence.
European leaders have had cause to rethink their roles within Nato recently, in light of statements coming from the US Government. The Trump administration鈥檚 dealings with Russia to try and broker a peace deal in Ukraine, have called into question America鈥檚 support for the alliance. But whilst the Trump administration say they are not pulling out of Nato and remain committed to the defence partnership with Europe, they have warned that they will "no longer tolerate an imbalanced relationship which encourages dependency".
Nato currently asks member states to spend at least 2% on defence, but US President Donald Trump has consistently told European allies to spend much more than that target. The alliance鈥檚 famous Article 5 holds that Nato members will come to the defence of an ally which comes under attack and the assumption has always been that the US would continue to be the anchoring power. But now Europe鈥檚 leaders are having to consider whether they could potentially go it alone without American military aid. So, do we need a new Nato?
This week's experts include John Deni, author and research professor, US Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, USA; Rachel Ellehuus, director-general, The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), London, UK; Toomas Hendricks Ilves, Former President of Estonia, professor at Tartu University; Estonia, Irina Borogan, deputy editor Agentura.ru, non-resident senior fellow, The Centre for European Policy Analysis, London, UK.
Presenter: Tanya Beckett
Producer: Jill Collins
Researcher: Katie Morgan
Editor: Tara McDermott
Technical Producer: Craig Boardman
Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples and Liam Morrey
(Photo: Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte participates in a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured) at the Commerzbank in Munich, Germany, 14 February, 2025. Credit: Leah Mills/Reuters)
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