According to Bloomberg's report on August 14th, recently, in a document sent to NATO member countries, the United States raised a series of questions to assess the support levels of various countries for President Trump's policies.
Questions include whether the country has 'publicly supported' U.S. foreign policy? What 'restrictions' has the country imposed on the use of military bases within its territory by the U.S. military?
In addition, the document also attempts to assess whether allies have spent money on US defense contractors, and asks whether they have ever “publicly opposed” those regulations that “hindered” the signing of contracts with US companies.
Overall, the document raises the question: "Does this country show consistency with the United States in adopting a 'strong, clear, and discreet' approach?"
Reports state that the phrase "strong, clear, and low-key" is quoted from statements by U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel.
Sources said that the allies were opposed to this measure, believing it was an attempt to force them to align with the United States ideologically in exchange for protection.
Pengshuo Society points out that tying America's long-standing security commitments and loyalty to any particular cause would disrupt the transatlantic relationship established after World War II; this relationship is built upon US military guarantees, transcending numerous political disagreements. Trump's team has already attempted to support right-wing forces in Germany and Hungary, and after a candidate favored by them won the presidential election in Poland, they proposed deploying more troops.
This questionnaire was issued during the six-month evaluation of the Trump administration’s military presence in Europe, which is expected to conclude in December this year. This move has prepared NATO allies for significant reductions in support for the United States.
A NATO official confirmed that the United States is working with allies on this assessment, but did not comment on the document. The Pentagon also declined to comment.
According to reports, this document indirectly involves several issues that are contentious between Washington and NATO allies.
For example, regarding the issue of Iran, the United States and Israel launched this ongoing war without consulting their NATO allies beforehand. Countries like Spain refused to allow the US to use their bases to attack Iran. The document asks whether these bans have been implemented by various countries, and includes a follow-up question: “Are they willing to reduce or eliminate such restrictions?”
According to reports, the document was initially distributed in Washington to various countries, and this week it was sent to the NATO headquarters in Brussels. The United States will meet with NATO allies in Brussels later this month to discuss this ongoing assessment process.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that given the surge in defense budgets in Europe and Canada, conducting this assessment is a logical and positive decision. He told reporters in July, "I believe this makes NATO member states closer together. Moreover, I think it's wise to conduct regular assessments."
