Overview
- Trump has labeled NATO a “paper tiger” and said U.S. participation is “beyond reconsideration,” with new reporting that he has privately discussed leaving the alliance.
- European governments, including France, the UK, Italy and Spain, have limited U.S. use of bases and airspace for strikes on Iran and declined requests to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
- A 2023 U.S. law requires Senate approval or an act of Congress to quit NATO, and senior senators in both parties reaffirmed support for the alliance this week.
- French President Emmanuel Macron warned that daily doubt drains NATO’s trust, and analysts say the alliance could be weakened in practice even without a formal U.S. withdrawal.
- A New York Times print headline that misnamed NATO went viral Friday, drew a correction and new attacks from Trump, keeping the dispute in the spotlight as NATO chief Mark Rutte heads to Washington next week.