No. 2 US diplomat questions need for NATO in deleted social media post
By Jonathan Landay
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The number two U.S. diplomat questioned the need for NATO in a post on X - which he later deleted - as the alliance prepares for an annual summit expected to be dominated by a U.S. demand for higher defense spending and Russia's war on Ukraine.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau was replying to a social media thread by Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Whitaker in his post said that what happened in the Indo-Pacific mattered for transatlantic security.
"He obviously didn't get the memo our [sic] of our Deputies Committee meeting on this very issue," Landau wrote at 6:56 pm on Wednesday, referring to Whitaker. "NATO is still a solution in search of a problem."
It was not clear if Landau meant for his message to be public or if he intended to send Whitaker's post to a third person.
"This was a casual, lighthearted remark intended for a brief, private exchange," a State Department spokesperson said in emailed comments.
"The Deputy Secretary's comment was in the context of his desire to improve NATO and ensure it remains focused on its mission," the spokesperson said.
Landau's post was later deleted. The Deputies Committee is subordinate to the National Security Council and composed of deputy secretaries of State, Defense and other agencies, according to the White House website.
The administration of former President Joe Biden had pushed the European allies to pay more attention to the threats in the Indo-Pacific, particularly from China, but the Trump administration has encouraged those allies to focus on their own security.
Landau's post contrasts with views of most of NATO's European members, who see Russia and its war on Ukraine as an existential threat, and the U.S.-led alliance as their main means of defense.
His post came as NATO leaders prepare for a two-day summit in the Hague beginning on June 24, where they will consider U.S. President Donald Trump's demand that they boost defense spending to 5% of GDP.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to attend the meeting. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, he regularly has attended NATO summits, and alliance members have pledged billions in weapons and condemned Russia for an illegal war of conquest.
Trump has shifted U.S. policy, partially accepting Moscow's justifications for its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and disparaging Zelenskiy.
European allies have expressed concern about Trump's commitment to the 32-member alliance and its support for Ukraine's battle against Russia's occupation forces.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
China cautions citizens in Iran, warns those in Israel of potential attacks
BEIJING (Reuters) -China has issued advisories to its citizens in Israel and Iran of the "complex and severe" security situation in those countries on Friday, adding a warning to those in Israel to prepare for possible missile and drone attacks. The Chinese embassy in Israel told citizens there to strengthen their security precautions, avoid going out unnecessarily or to areas surrounding military units and sensitive institutions as the "security situation on the ground is complex and severe". "Stay calm, be vigilant," a notice on its WeChat account said, cautioning citizens to be prepared to guard against missiles, rockets, drones and other attacks. In a separate notice, the Chinese embassy in Iran also advised citizens and enterprises based there to pay close attention to developments and enhance their security awareness and precautions, asking citizens to avoid sensitive sites and crowded places. Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Solar can drive jobs, equity, climate goals — but investment still uneven
New Delhi: The Sixth Meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Europe and the Others Region was held in Brussels with participation from 20 countries and partners to review solar energy progress and advance global collaborations under the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The meeting was chaired by Germany, the regional Vice President, and convened to align strategic priorities and assess implementation status across member nations. ISA Director General Ashish Khanna said, 'Your presence here today reflects our shared commitment to advancing the global transition to solar energy. Our focus must now turn to ensuring these advancements translate into jobs, equity, and climate resilience.' He added that $2 trillion was invested in clean energy last fiscal, with solar photovoltaics leading, but only 15% of it reached low- and middle-income countries and less than 2% was directed to Africa. Highlighting energy access challenges, Khanna said 600 million people in Africa remain without electricity access. 'ISA is mobilising $200 million to leverage more than 30 times the private investment in Distributed Renewable Energy in Africa,' he added. Tobias Rinke, Deputy Head of Division, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany, said the alliance's membership has grown to 123 countries with doubling of active engagements since 2022. He referenced COP28 commitments, where nearly 200 countries agreed to triple renewable capacity and transition from fossil fuels. 'Solar energy plays a central role in achieving these goals,' he said. In a session with ISA Director General, IEA's Laura Cozzi said, 'AI-related infrastructure could add electricity demand equivalent to a 'new Japan' by 2030.' She said AI can optimise grid operations and improve energy access. She also announced the launch of an Energy and AI Observatory by the IEA. In a separate session, CIFF CEO Kate Hampton said the key financing challenge is the shortage of catalytic equity rather than debt. She said philanthropy can fill this gap and support country platforms with technical assistance, policy engagement, and junior equity. 'A major constraint lies in the availability of skilled professionals capable of navigating delivery, policy, and finance,' she added. European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, in his keynote address, said the cost of solar power has dropped 82% in the EU over the past decade. He said an additional 12% global decline in 2023 made solar the fastest-growing and most affordable clean energy source today. Upcoming discussions at the meeting include topics on Catalytic Finance in Africa, ISA's STAR-Cs initiative, AI in the energy sector, and a roundtable on energy storage and green hydrogen .
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Rubio Calls Israeli Strikes against Iran ‘Unilateral,' Says US Not Involved
AP file photo Donald Trump, right, speaks with reporters as Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., en route to Camp David, Md., on Sunday. JERUSALEM/DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Israel said early on Friday it had struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons, and Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country's main uranium enrichment facility. Calling the offensive 'Rising Lion,' Israel said it was also targeting Iranian commanders and missile factories, and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran. We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message. Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile programme and its Nantanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would continue for days, he said. A witness in Nantanz city said multiple explosions were heard near the facility, and a senior Iranian official told Reuters that the country's leadership was holding a top security meeting. Iran's state TV said several explosions were heard in Tehran and the country's air defence system was on full alert. An Israeli military official said Israel was striking 'dozens' of nuclear and military targets. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days. Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe, Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally because it believes the operation was necessary for self-defense. Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel, he added. CNN reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was convening a cabinet meeting. Crude oil prices jumped more than $3 a barrel on the news. U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators. But the talks have appeared to be deadlocked. Trump said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran 'could very well happen' but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution. U.S. intelligence had indicated that Israel was making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, and U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity that Israel could attack in the coming days. The U.S. military is planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
