A Quick Thought on NATO

Something to keep in mind.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has cast NATO (and the issue of its expansion) back into the international limelight. Unfortunately, I see all the CNN talking heads, Op-Ed articles, and online discourse concerning NATO missing one critical component.

Article 5, which states an attack on one member country will invoke a military response from the rest, is the heart of the alliance. It’s naive to think Americans support this.

Only 35% of Americans support military action in Ukraine. In the case of a hypothetical invasion, how many Americans would be willing to have their child die defending Romania, Slovenia, North Macedonia, or any other of the NATO member countries? Very few, including myself.

I’ve yet to hear a good explanation of how this defensive alliance can reckon with the lacking enthusiasm of its most valued member. And we’re not helping small nations by promising to have their back if we have no intention of defending them.

Keep this in mind the next time you hear NATO discourse.

I’ll be back later this week with a longer post.