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. At the NATO Summit of 2014, each member agreed on a goal of spending 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense by 2024. Member nations further agreed to devote at least 20% of defense spending on major new equipment and associated Research and Development. As of 2020, eleven of the 30 member nations met the 2% of GDP goal. These nations are Estonia, France, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, United Kingdom, and United States. 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.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs
Yes, and refusing to defend other NATO countries sets a dangerous precedent for the balance of global power
@ISIDEWITH7yrs
No, and we should withdraw from NATO
@ISIDEWITH6yrs
No, we should not defend any NATO country that spends less than 2% of their GDP on military defense
@5495QKW2yrs
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.
@547W2M22yrs
"Defending" each other is how wars are started. Hell no.
@548HSP82yrs
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?
@548YD532yrs
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.
@5485KZ22yrs
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.
@549GJYV2yrs
It is the responsibility of the strong to protect (but not police) the weak, but that goes for all attacked and/or oppressed people--not just for NATO members. NATO, in itself, is an outmoded organisation, which actions since the fall of the Soviet Union arguably has done more to destabilise rather than the opposite.
@549T7R32yrs
Yes, The USA should pull out from NATO but still intervene or assist countries that are unable to defend themselves from hostile enemies or if the stability of the country is required for the benefit of our economy or national security.
@5498TF52yrs
We entered Nato with the agreement to defend our Nato partners. We should stick to this promise.
@54B5TNP2yrs
GDP? What is our relationship with each country? Are we trying to buy friendship from countries that hate us? We are paying groups so they can afford to kill us in the future. It's nuts.
@54B6PNZ2yrs
We need to worry about our own backyard and stop saving the world.
@5496WQD2yrs
we are not the worlds military, we should not have to monitor and defend unless war is declared
@98WBZ37Libertarian19hrs
Yes, but only if we are compensated for the protection
@98W8K7X1 day
Yes, but only if a Nato protected country is getting invaded.
@98W322J1 day
I think it would be nice to support the nations financially and militarily equipment wise but i would not send our troops
@98TM5LS4 days
We should abolish the military.
@98T48885 days
Yes, but only if they have no record of human rights abuses
@98T3BVX5 days
Yes as long as they meet the GDP deadline by 2024.
@98SXDYM5 days
We should pursue every diplomatic option first
@98STQ5F6 days
Yes but the United States needs to push for more military spending in other NATO countries
@98SRY34Independent6 days
Yes, but provide a little less support until they spend more than 2%
@98SQB2V7 days
No but we shouldn’t withdraw from nato
@98SN7XQProgressive7 days
Yes, but these NATO countries would have increase their defense budgets so that the U.S. does not have to provide more funding to their defense.
@98R6LJV1wk
Yes, but we should make them spend more on their militaries.
@98RD4ZM1wk
School taught me absolutely nothing
@98QPMNP1wk
Yes but not a lot and we should withdraw from nato.
No, we should withdraw from NATO and re-establish treaties with certain nations, definitely the United Kingdom and France.
@98PYSGN2wks
Yes, but we should also defend other countries outside of NATO.
Yes by aiding them first by aiding the countries with our resources. Sending our troops to the countries should be a last resort.
@98P6PBF2wks
I don't really care about it, defending other NATO countries will bring more problems to the economy but it will aslo help in maintaining the balance of global power.
@wanderer11292wks
Yes, as long as these countries control granted forces
@98NL6G92wks
no unless good valid reason that involves the US
@98NJ2XQ2wks
No, it should focus on its own defence.
Yes, as long as it serves the strategic interests of the US
@98LCM4L3wks
Not if the US is the only country going bankrupt and increasing inflation over it. If the US is going to continue being a member of NATO, then the other countries need to support.
yes but add sanctions against those countries
@98L548N3wks
No, we should not defend any NATO country that spends less than 2% of their GDP on military defense, unless an agreement to commit to alternative contribution is set
We should train them and help them build up their armed forces but we shouldn't defend them
@98JBY7G3wks
Each instance of US involvement with other countries military defense aid should be considered individually not blanketed
@98JBT9V3wks
As long as they pay their agreed upon share
Yes, but we should pressure those countries to spend more.
@98H7R5Z4wks
Yes, but we should pull out of areas in Europe in order to reduce defense spending
@98GPQZQ1mo
Yes, but pressure those countries to pay more economically and expect all countries to pay the same amount.
No, only when they are being invaded
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