NATO Summit Kicks Off with High-Stakes Spending Debate
Fighter jets circling overhead and missile systems on standby—the Hague transformed into a fortress 🛡️ as NATO leaders gathered Tuesday to debate a bold new defense spending target: 5% of GDP by 2035. The proposal comes amid Middle East tensions following U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
💰 Where’s the Money Going?
The plan splits spending into 3.5% for direct military costs and 1.5% for infrastructure—think next-gen tech like AI defense systems. While Eastern European nations cheer the move, others like Spain are pushing back, pledging to keep spending at 2.1%.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Wildcard Move
U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell, refusing to commit to the 5% goal while urging allies to 'pay their fair share.' Rumors swirled that he nearly skipped the summit to pressure NATO members—a move straight out of reality TV playbooks 📺.
🌐 Shifting Priorities
This year’s summit is leaner than 2023’s Washington event, with Ukraine taking a backseat. Instead, closed-door talks on the Indo-Pacific and fallout from the Iran strike dominate—proving global crises wait for no alliance.
