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Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
No. 2 US diplomat questions need for NATO in deleted social media post
WASHINGTON: The number two US 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 US 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 US 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 of our Deputies Committee meeting on this very issue,' Landau wrote at 6:56 p.m. 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 US-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 US President Donald Trump's demand that they boost defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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 US policy, partially accepting Moscow's justifications for its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and disparaging Zelensky. 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.
Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
No. 2 US diplomat questions need for NATO in deleted social media post
WASHINGTON, June 12 (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.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump accused of 'lobbing grenade' into US-UK security pact as president orders review of nuclear sub deal intended to tackle Chinese aggression
Donald Trump has been accused of 'throwing a hand grenade' into the transatlantic security alliance by ordering a review of a major nuclear submarine pact between the UK, the US and Australia. The president has ordered officials to look into Aukus, which was signed by his predecessor Joe Biden and is intended to secure the Pacific against Chinese aggression. It involves multi-billion-pound commitments to build new nuclear-powered submarines, with the Ministry of Defence already announcing its intention to build up to 12 submarines in last week's Strategic Defence Review. But these plans have been thrown into doubt after the US defence department announced a probe to ensure Aukus meets the President's 'America First' agenda. The review is being led by Elbridge Colby, who is close to President Trump and is a long-term sceptic of the agreement. A UK Government spokesman sought to play down the prospect of an American withdrawal from the deal today, saying Aukus was 'one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades'. They added: 'It is understandable that a new administration would want to review its approach to such a major partnership, just as the UK did last year.' But Helen Maguire, the Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman, said: 'Trump's decision to review the AUKUS submarine pact has thrown another grenade into our security partnership. 'Even in the face of an imperial Putin and the rising threat posed by China, this White House simply can't be relied upon to support our collective defence. 'Our national security demands that we ramp up talks with our Commonwealth friends and work to plug the gap that the US is threatening to leave in European and global security. 'Starmer must meet urgently with Prime Minister Albanese to develop contingency plans for AUKUS if Trump withdraws from the treaty.' Announced in 2021, Aukus involves the three nations building a new generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines and cooperating in other areas of advanced defence technology. The deal will also see Australia buy three Virginia-class submarines from the US ahead of the new vessels being built. That provision has led some in Washington, including Mr Colby, to question the deal on the grounds that the US may need those submarines if it finds itself in a war with China over Taiwan. But last month, the new US ambassador to London used his first major speech in the job to back Aukus. Warren Stephens told an audience in Parliament, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, that the US was 'proud to stand alongside Britain and Australia, two of our closest allies, as we deepen our collaboration to respond to a changing world'. Relations between the US and Australia have soured over tariffs. America has also demanded Australia increase defence spending and wants to sell older submarines to Australia on favourable terms. Last night former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West said: 'Aukus is extremely important for the strategic situation in the Pacific and very important for Britain as a way of us moving into our next generation of submarines. 'The US had had concerns about selling its submarines to Australia, so it is not entirely unexpected that President Trump would want to look at this. Hopefully this can be resolved and we all move on together as part of the alliance.' The deal is regarded as a pillar of security co-operation. But concerns have been raised in the US over the rate of submarine production and Australia's reluctance to commit to a 'no holds barred' response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The US is committed to selling up to five boats to Australia, vessels which many in the US believe should be retained by the US Navy.
