Foreign Policy Live Trump and the NATO Summit
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Jun 25, 2025 At the NATO summit in The Hague, European leaders are stepping up defense spending to align with U.S. expectations, raising questions about funding sources. The potential implications on social services are a hot topic. Discussions also dive into the unpredictable nature of a Russia-NATO conflict, which would differ greatly from the Ukraine situation. Meanwhile, experts weigh in on America's waning influence as Europe reclaims more self-reliance in security matters, and the complexities surrounding U.S. military strategies in Iran add another layer of intrigue.
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NATO's Defense Spending Boost
- NATO members agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP as Donald Trump demanded.
- This includes 3.5% on defense and 1.5% on defense-related infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Funding NATO's Spending Challenge
- Europe's leaders promise more defense spending but face the hard question: where will the money come from?
- Raising funds means cutting social services or taking loans, which may be unpopular with voters.
Europe's Geopolitical Reckoning
- Europe has relied on the US for security, Russia for energy, and China for trade for 80 years.
- Now, these relationships are shifting, ending a geopolitical holiday and forcing Europe to reconsider its welfare state model.