NATO Faces Questions Over US Dependence as Allies Boost Spending

NATO is under renewed scrutiny as the United States continues to provide a large share of the alliance’s military power, even while European allies increase defense spending. The article examines concerns that NATO’s political expansion has outpaced its military capabilities, especially in areas such as nuclear deterrence, intelligence, logistics and air defense. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg argues the alliance has become too dependent on the U.S. and says Europe’s defense systems have weakened after years of underinvestment. He points to gaps in deployable forces and highend capabilities, while other experts say NATO remains essential to U.S. security and to stability in Europe. The article notes that NATO members have been stepping up defense plans since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including new targets for air and missile defense, armored vehicles, artillery and readiness. But analysts caution that many of those improvements will take years to fully appear, leaving the alliance still reliant on American support in the meantime.