Trump’s Legitimate Challenge to NATO’s Collective Defense Exposes Alliance Weaknesses

President Donald Trump has reignited a critical conversation about America’s role in NATO by questioning the unconditional nature of the alliance’s famed collective defense guarantee, known as Article 5. As NATO leaders prepare to convene in The Hague, Trump is underscoring that U.S. support hinges squarely on whether America’s European allies are meeting their financial responsibilities—specifically, dedicating at least 5% of their GDP to defense. Since his first term, President Trump has been clear: American taxpayers cannot and should not shoulder endless security burdens for countries lagging in defense spending. This is not mere rhetoric but a call for fairness...