NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s recent update to President Joe Biden underscores significant progress among alliance members in meeting defense spending goals. Stoltenberg reported that 23 out of 32 NATO countries are expected to allocate at least 2% of their GDP towards defense spending this year, marking a notable increase from previous years.
He highlighted an 18% rise in defense expenditures across the alliance, the largest surge in decades, reflecting a collective effort to bolster security capabilities amid evolving global threats. This development comes amidst ongoing scrutiny from former President Donald Trump and others who have criticized NATO members for not shouldering their fair share of defense burdens. With commitments strengthened in response to geopolitical tensions, including Russia’s actions in Ukraine, NATO appears increasingly focused on enhancing military readiness and cohesion among member states.