DW: NATO hits back at President Trump's Montenegro World War III remarks
NATO has been forced to reassert its collective defense clause after Donald Trump raised doubt over the US' commitment to defending Balkan partner Montenegro. The US President described Montenegrins as "very aggressive."
NATO officials on Wednesday scrambled to reassert the alliance's collective defense clause — commonly referred to as Article 5 — after US President Donald Trump appeared to suggest NATO's newest member Montenegro could instigate World War III.
A NATO official told Germany's DPA news agency that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty was "unconditional and iron-clad," reaffirming that "an attack on one is an attack on all."
In a television interview Tuesday night, Trump appeared to cast doubt over the US' commitment to defending NATO partner Montenegro in the event of an attack. Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked Trump "why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack," to which the president responded "I've asked the same question."
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WNU Editor: I have always advocated that a debate is needed on what is the purpose of NATO, the role and contribution of its members, what should be its strategic goals, and as we have learned recently .... how to respond to its own members when they make decisions that directly impact the safety of the alliance (Germany on energy and Turkey buying the S-400 defense systems to name a few recent incidents). Because lets face facts .... the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact ended 27 years ago. But even though the world has changed, NATO continues to operate in the same manner as it did decades ago. Unfortunately .... as it was revealed yesterday when President Trump and Tucker Carlson decided to discuss the issue .... the foreign policy establishment and the media do not want this debate, and for good reason. They know that the mass majority of Americans do not want to send their sons and daughters to defend places like Montenegro. The never-ending wars in Afghanistan and in the Middle East has taught Americans to be very skeptical when leaders talk about defense commitments and security .... and they do not need me to explain why.
More News On President Trump's Remarks On Montenegro
Trump blasts Montenegro, questions NATO mutual defense -- AFP
Trump calls out 'very aggressive' Montenegro in latest NATO jibe -- NBC
Montenegro could get aggressive and lead us into World War III: Trump's bizarre attack on a NATO ally after Fox News's Tucker Carlson asks why should 'my son go to Montenegro to defend it' -- Daily Mail
Trump: Supporting Tiny NATO Ally Montenegro Could Start WWIII -- Military.com/Stars and Stripes
Trump Ponders NATO Article 5: Montenegro 'May Get Aggressive & You're in WWIII' -- Sputnik
Trump Goes After Montenegro, a ‘Tiny Country’ With ‘Aggressive People’ -- Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic
Why the US is obligated to defend Montenegro -- Ryan Browne, CNN
