US does an about-face on the question of NATO

From an “obsolete” organisation of countries that “do not pay what they should” to the “cornerstone” of defence is the about-face that came yesterday from the new head of the Pentagon, James Mattis, who yesterday redefined the harsh criticism of NATO by Trump by ensuring that Washington will maintain its “strong support” to the allies. The new US Secretary of Defence tried yesterday to reassure his European counterparts in Brussels, which he considers his “second home,” and yes, ‘Mad Dog' Mattis, retired Marine general, lived there from 2007 to 2009, when he was one of the supreme commanders of the Alliance.

Despite the pledge, Trump is still unhappy that the US foots 72% of the defence alliance's funding and part of Mattis' job will be to make sure the European allies progressively pay more of the costs. Spain, for example, still has not reached the level paid by other members. Investment is now needed and has been calculated at 2% of the GDP. Spain currently fronts up only 0.91% against Greece (2.38%), the UK (2.21%), Estonia (2.16%), or Poland (2%).

“NATO remains a cornerstone for the US and for the entire transatlantic community, we are united,” said Mattis. But at the same time insisted that its allies should spend more on security: