Blair & Major Reassured Russia About NATO
Consortium News2 days
NATO Approves Largest Military Buildup Since Cold War
Above: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a joint press conference held with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting on June 5, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. Image copyright: Omar Havana/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
This massive military build-up is the direct result of President Trump's strong leadership and is urgently needed given Putin's aggression, but also China's growing threat. Europeans have freeloaded off American taxpayers for decades while neglecting their own defense responsibilities. The 5% spending target will finally force allies to pull their weight and build the capabilities necessary to deter authoritarian regimes that seek to destroy the rules-based international order.
Establishment-critical narrative
NATO has always been the extended arm of U.S. imperialist foreign policy, and Europeans should wake up and resist Trump's dictates. NATO is by no means a defense alliance, and it is not Russia or China that are hostile, but the expansionist military alliance whose ever-increasing armament Europeans cannot afford politically, economically, or socially. Drumming for war will put Europe's social cohesion to the test, and Europeans should reflect on what their true national interests are.
Climate-concerned narrative
Throwing hundreds of billions down the throats of arms companies while cutting funding for climate protection is a reckless prioritization and reveals the hypocrisy surrounding the climate protection debate. This arms race will pump almost 200 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year, accelerating the climate crisis that is already causing conflict around the world. Real security means investing in sustainable solutions and not promoting the military-industrial complex.