Germany’s NATO Spending: Spiegel

Even the strongest organizations have disagreements over dues and approaches to problems, and this is true of NATO. NATO expects members to contribute 2 percent of GDP for NATO, but Europe’s economies are struggling. Germany spends less than 1.5 percent, attributed to lingering resistance to militarism that contributed to World War II. Meanwhile, members like Turkey and Italy drift in closer ties with Russia and China, and the United States questions the value of the security alliance. The president of Estonia, which contributes more than 2 percent, suggests Germany set an example by contributing at least 2 percent, adding that anything less serves Russia's strategic interests, suggests the article for Spiegel International. Germany and NATO have other differences, too, including Germany’s opposition to permanent NATO combat troops in Eastern Europe after Russia’s invasion of Crimea. Germany has committed to eight brigades, fully equipped, by 2031, but barely has one. Populism and anti-war sentiment are other contributing factors, and political leaders want to be seen as standing up to Donald Trump. NATO defenders worry about the United States reducing its contribution or abandoning the alliance altogether. – YaleGlobal