The first working week of the new U.S. Secretary of Defense began with a phone conversation with his British counterpart and the NATO Secretary General, emphasizing the "unbreakable commitment" to NATO and the "indispensable importance" of Europe in defending "shared values." On January 24, James Mattis spoke with Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General. According to a Pentagon spokesman, the Secretary of Defense and the NATO Secretary General discussed the importance of shared values [between the United States and Europe], and the Secretary of Defense [of the U.S.] emphasized that when it comes to unity in defending these values, the United States will always look for such allies first in Europe. On Monday, Mattis also spoke with his British counterpart, reiterating that Washington has an "unbreakable commitment" to NATO. The U.S. Secretary of Defense and Stoltenberg promised to continue consultations in the coming months and to meet face-to-face during the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting in February. Mattis also spoke with the Canadian Defense Minister at the start of his first working week. Previously, the U.S. President, in an interview with the Times of London, described NATO as an "obsolete" organization due to its shortcomings in combating terrorism, while adding that the alliance still holds "great significance" for him. Donald Trump had again criticized NATO members for not paying enough for the organization's activities, placing most of the financial burden on the United States. Shortly after, the German Foreign Minister stated that he had spoken with his counterparts in NATO member countries, and they were "concerned" by Mr. Trump's description of NATO as an "obsolete" organization - at that time, he had not yet taken office. NATO was signed in April 1949 in Washington. Currently, it has 28 members, most of whom, in addition to the U.S., are European countries. Turkey is also a member of this alliance. Several countries around the world cooperate with NATO. James Mattis, the Secretary of Defense under Trump, previously commanded NATO's military transformation.
Pentagon: America's Commitment to NATO is Unbreakable
The new U.S. Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, reaffirmed America's strong commitment to NATO during discussions with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other defense leaders. This commitment comes amid previous criticisms from President Trump, who labeled NATO as 'obsolete' and highlighted the financial burdens on the U.S. This situation is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions within NATO and the U.S.'s role in European defense.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The new U.S. Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO during discussions with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other defense leaders. This commitment comes amid criticisms from President Trump regarding NATO's relevance and financial responsibilities.
- Mattis emphasized the U.S.'s 'unbreakable commitment' to NATO.
- Trump previously described NATO as 'obsolete' and criticized member nations for not contributing enough financially.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
NATO, established in 1949, is a military alliance formed for collective defense among its members, primarily in Europe and North America. The alliance has faced challenges regarding funding and relevance in the face of new security threats.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%