NATO’s ambitious push for a 5% defense spending target is sparking heated debates among its members, revealing deep divisions on security and economic priorities. According to a recent CGTN poll, many respondents worry that this move could trigger a new arms race and seriously threaten global peace. 🔍
The poll shows 67.4% of participants condemning NATO’s rapid military expansion, while 84.7% label it an outright war machine. With 73.8% fearing that meeting the 5% target will worsen global military imbalances, the strategy is under intense scrutiny.
Fueling the debate further, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez dismissed the target as "disproportionate and unnecessary," a view shared by 80.1% of respondents. Many argue that forcing NATO’s European members to dramatically increase defense spending could lead to higher taxes or cutbacks in welfare, impacting everyday citizens. ⚖️
Additionally, 76.2% believe the spending dispute will drive further divisions among NATO’s European members, while 76.6% accuse the U.S. of ignoring European concerns—a reminder of past tensions when U.S. leader Donald Trump warned of scaling back security commitments.
Conducted over just 12 hours and gathering 6,000 responses across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms, the poll highlights the challenges NATO faces in achieving a unified security strategy. As debates rage on, the discussion reflects broader concerns about aligning economic priorities with global defense ambitions. 💥
Reference(s):
CGTN Poll丨5% defense spending target exposes NATO's deadlock
cgtn.com
