Nato’s fragile future
The New Statesman | UK politics and culture
The New Statesman
4.4 • 1.4K Ratings
🗓️ 19 March 2025
⏱️ 33 minutes
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Summary
Since Nato’s inception in 1949, the US has always formed a central part of the alliance and been the biggest contributor to its defensive strength.
However, since his second term began, President Donald Trump has shifted the US’s allegiances towards Vladimir Putin’s Russia and away from Nato. Simultaneously, the US President has repeatedly criticised Europe’s defence spending and the continent’s reliance on the US.
This radical shift from the Nato status quo has brought the alliance’s future into question.
Katie Stallard is joined by David Reynolds and Max Bergmann.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The New Statesman |
| 0:02.0 | Last year, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, marked its 75th anniversary. |
| 0:17.0 | Welcome to the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium for an event commemorating the 75th anniversary |
| 0:23.3 | of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. |
| 0:26.6 | Less than a year later, the future of the alliance is far from certain. |
| 0:30.5 | That wasn't really a birthday party, but more of a wake. |
| 0:33.8 | While Joe Biden praised the historic values and achievements of NATO. |
| 0:38.1 | NATO's character is fundamentally democratic. |
| 0:41.4 | His successor and predecessor Donald Trump has long argued that other member states are not pulling their weight. |
| 0:48.3 | NATO members must finally contribute their fair share. |
| 0:52.5 | This is him speaking to NATO allies in Brussels in 2017. |
| 0:56.7 | And meet their financial obligations. |
| 1:00.1 | Since then, Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. |
| 1:04.5 | But Trump's tune hasn't changed. |
| 1:07.0 | One of the presidents of a big country stood up, said, |
| 1:09.8 | if we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us? |
| 1:13.7 | I said, you didn't pay, you're delinquent? |
| 1:16.3 | No, I would not protect you. |
| 1:17.8 | In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. |
| 1:20.9 | You got to pay. |
| 1:24.1 | Last week, NATO's Secretary General, Ruta paid a visit to Washington. |
| 1:28.3 | And while Trump was amiable enough with the former Dutch Prime Minister... |
... |
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