A NEW NATO: Allies Agree to Higher 5% Defense Spending Target After Trump Pressure
NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to more than double their defense spending target — from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035 — in the alliance’s most forceful move in over a decade. In a joint declaration, the bloc said it stands “united in the face of profound security threats,” pointing to Russia’s long-term danger to Euro-Atlantic stability and the “persistent threat” of terrorism. “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations,” it continued. The 5% target includes “at least” 3.5%