In a recent development, Keith Kellogg, a leading national security adviser to former President Donald Trump, revealed plans to advocate for significant changes within NATO if Trump returns to power. These changes could potentially lead to certain member nations losing protection against external threats.
Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of staff of Trump’s National Security Council, disclosed in an interview with Reuters his intentions to push for amendments to NATO’s policies. He emphasized that if a member nation failed to meet the agreed-upon defense spending target of at least 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP), he would support the removal of Article 5 protections under the North Atlantic Treaty for that country.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty stipulates that an attack on one member nation is considered an attack on all, necessitating a collective response from all members. However, without these protections, a member country would not be guaranteed assistance from other NATO allies in the event of an attack.
Kellogg underscored the importance of contributions to the alliance, stating, “If you’re going to be part of an alliance, contribute to the alliance, be part of the alliance.”
The proposal comes amid ongoing debates surrounding NATO’s future and the distribution of defense spending among member nations. Trump had previously suggested at a rally that NATO allies failing to meet defense spending targets might not receive full U.S. support, drawing criticism from President Joe Biden and other Western leaders.
Kellogg refrained from confirming discussions with Trump regarding the proposal but noted frequent conversations about NATO’s future between them. He indicated that if Trump were re-elected, he would likely propose a NATO meeting in June 2025 to discuss potential changes, envisioning a “tiered alliance” where member nations’ compliance with NATO’s founding principles determines their level of protection.
Kellogg emphasized the need for an open dialogue on national security matters, characterizing it as “a very adult conversation” that must take place.
In addition to the possibility of losing Article 5 protections, Kellogg mentioned other potential sanctions, such as restricted access to training or shared equipment resources. He also suggested that member countries should have the freedom to withdraw from NATO.
While the proposal reflects a growing sentiment within Trump’s camp to reassess America’s commitment to NATO, its implications and potential ramifications for transatlantic security remain subject to debate and further discussion within the alliance.
