The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance formed by 28 countries in 1949 after the Second World War. To join NATO each member country pledged to spend at least 2% of their GDP on military spending and defense and defend each other against threats from any non-member country. In a July 2016 interview with the New York Times Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump suggested that the United States would not defend NATO member countries who had failed to increase their military budgets to above 2% of Gross Domestic Product. The suggestion defies a pact made by NATO members when it was formed in WWII that they would defend each other against any attack by a non-member nation. France, Turkey, Germany, Canada, and Italy are countries that are currently spending less than 2% of their GDP on military defense.
@65B6RLXRepublican12mos
No, but add a clause that ensures a "tax" or reparation is made to the US from those countries that need defending (and under 2%) should they need the US military for defense or aid.
"Defending" each other is how wars are started. Hell no.
@659JTQ9Republican12mos
We should not be expected to fund countries who prosper but do not fund their own defense -- why should we bear the cost when they can afford to do so?
No country deserves a free ride. Each country has a reasonable responsibility to defend and protect its citizens. But failure of a government to reasonably defend and protect its citizens doesn't absolve other countries from a moral responsibility to protect and preserve life to the best of their ability.
Yes, upon the condition that a lien (of sorts...) is placed on that country, resulting in a gained equitable interest to the People of the U.S. Maybe even going to so far as being a fund of mutual benefit, to the US and the country being protected. This could be practical if that country is better off spending their own budget on something which would bring more benefit to that country, thereby increasing a potential return to the US. Especially since the US has so much invested in its military already.
@9PJ7PBBRepublican12mos
Yes, but we should put sanctions on those who don't pay their fair share and make their contribution public.
we are not the worlds military, we should not have to monitor and defend unless war is declared
Depends on what country.
It’s a very tricky situation, however military occupations need to be avoided at all costs, with more emphasis on humanitarian support
If I wanted to keep NATO, it should become a non-military based geopolitical network
Yes in case or emergencies, but encourage the countries to increase their defense budget
Yes, but we should limit aid to those countries.
Yes but pressure them to pay more
Yes, but we must use other economic means to gather our 2%
All NATO members need to pay their own way
Yes, but reduce US funding to the level of the other nations.
Yes, but strongly encourage minimum spending requirements through incentive programs
It depends on the circumstances, if a region wants to join another country I think they should join. If a NATO country attacks another country with no reason, we shouldn't help.
Depends on the scenario.
you've officially got me confused.
Yes, but our aid should be proportional to their military spending
It is not our job to defend other countries
Depends on the country and how much NATO invests as well
Yes, there are some countries we should defend, but maybe not all.
Yes, we should be defending NATO allies, regardless of anything.
Yes, but NATO should have percentages of GDP re-evaluated being that this was formed in WWII.
Yes, but restrict employment within NATO.
Yes, but incentivise them to spend more in their military
No, NATO itself should be doing that, not us.
No, we are not the police of the world and should get our own house in order.
If we make an agreement to defend one another, everyone should reasonably contribute to defense.
If we spent more money on our people and less on the military it wouldn’t be an issue. When I worked overseas I spoke with people from all countries about these issues. Basically the view in most countries is that they can spend more on social programs because the us spends so much on the military. They really don’t care much for us but, we’re tolerated because overall we improve the lives of other countries by saving them money.
Yes, but they must take on a percentage of the cost.
Yes, but with no boots on the ground.
No, if a NATO country is spending less than 2% of their GDP on military defense they have broken the agreement and we are not obligated to defend them.
@9NXJG57Republican12mos
yes if we are assisting, but need to stop trying to rebuild everyone else's land, focus on us.
@9NW5WB4Republican12mos
Yes, but force members to spend 2% of GDP on military defense.
@9N8ST8FLibertarian12mos
Yes but we should decrease active spending and be more reactionary
We should defend them but charge them. Somehow make them pay for us defending them.
@9N39JHMRepublican12mos
Yes, but we should keep encouraging these countries to ramp up military spending for those who have not already.
@9MSJS6NIndependent12mos
Only when asked and if agreed upon by US Leaders.
Yes, for now. NATO should be disbanded.
Yes, but we shouldn’t use all of our resources on them because they aren’t willing to use their resources on themselves
@9MFNV7CConstitution12mos
Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea should be defended. we have no business defending Western european countries. they can fend for themselves, we owe them nothing.
Do not defund any country not contributing at least 2% but do not withdraw.
No, not until we decrease our national deficit.
Yes, as long as other countries in NATO are 'defending' the same amount
No, we should remain neutral but help with aid for those with low military defence budgets
Yes, as long as we are a part of NATO. But require member countries to pay their fair share to the organization.
@csquared0013Veteran12mos
Yes but defended countries should be indebted for the services rendered.
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