"In recent weeks, far too many of our NATO allies showed that they could not be relied upon to support our nation's operations against Iran. This is unconscionable - and we will remember."
"Mr Hegseth argued that NATO had become "beset by free-riding" since the end of the Cold War, insisting European allies were no longer contributing enough to collective security despite being more economically exposed to instability in the Middle East than the United States itself. "Americans want partners - not dependencies," he said."
""Capable partners are good partners. Unlike so many traditional allies who wring their hands and clutch their pearls, hemming and hawing about the use of force." Notably, Mr Hegseth omitted Britain and France from a list of what he described as "model allies", instead praising countries including Israel, Poland, Finland, South Korea and the Baltic states."
"The intervention will be viewed in Westminster as a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and London after Britain declined to directly participate in US and Israeli strikes against Iranian targets. Ministers instead opted to focus on protecting shipping lanes and regional stability in the Strait of Hormuz."
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a sharply worded statement to Congress accusing NATO allies of failing to support American operations against Iran. He said Western allies could not be relied upon and warned that consequences would follow for countries that did not back Washington during the conflict. He argued NATO has been beset by free-riding since the end of the Cold War, claiming European allies contribute too little to collective security despite being more exposed to Middle East instability. He said Americans want partners rather than dependencies and criticized allies who hesitate over the use of force. He praised Israel, Poland, Finland, South Korea, and Baltic states while omitting Britain and France. Britain is likely to view the remarks as a major escalation after it declined to join direct strikes, focusing instead on protecting shipping lanes and stability in the Strait of Hormuz.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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