NATO is currently facing internal tensions as member states disagree on a bold new push to raise defense spending. With ambitions set at an overall target of 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), different nations are taking very different routes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy will gradually meet the 5% target over the next 10 years, despite its high debt levels. "These are important commitments that Italy intends to honor. We will not leave our country weak and unable to defend itself," Meloni remarked.
In contrast, Spain has taken a unique stance. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that Spain will cap its military spending at 2.1% of GDP, clearly rejecting the more ambitious target. This decision underscores a growing divide in how nations balance national security with economic realities.
The upcoming NATO summit, scheduled from Tuesday to Wednesday, is expected to debate these proposals further. The plan calls for boosting defense expenditure to 3.5% of GDP, with an added 1.5% for broader security needs, aligning with a demand by U.S. President Donald Trump.
While countries like Estonia are keen to lead the charge—promising to hit the 5% mark as soon as next year and urging other members to follow suit within five years—experts are voicing their concerns. Stefan Wolff, a professor of international security at the University of Birmingham, warned, "If NATO cannot agree on its main purpose, then even well-funded forces will lack shared direction."
Adding to the debate, Li Haidong from the China Foreign Affairs University observed that ramping up defense spending could significantly strain the economic and social progress of European members. He stressed that pushing for such high targets without coordinated efforts might end up as little more than a political gesture.
This unfolding story is reminiscent of a group project where every member has a different vision of what success looks like! 😅 As NATO navigates these differing perspectives, the summit will be a critical moment for determining the alliance's future direction.
Stay tuned for more updates as these debates unfold, shaping the landscape of international defense and security.
Reference(s):
Disunity in NATO: Member states split on push for 5% defense spending
cgtn.com
