The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has raised serious doubts about the transatlantic link with NATO, stating on Tuesday that the United States should “reconsider” their relationship with the military alliance once the war against Iran is over.
Rubio expressed his concerns on Fox News, emphasizing the need to review the role NATO plays for the United States within the framework of the alliance. The United States has criticized NATO members like France, Spain, and Italy for not allowing the overflight of their territories or using American bases to transport military equipment to Israel during the war with Iran.
President Donald Trump also questioned the US commitment to NATO at a business forum in Miami, suggesting that the US may not come to NATO’s aid if needed. He criticized NATO’s actions and spending, calling the alliance a “one-way street” and questioning why the US should remain a part of it.
Rubio further criticized NATO, emphasizing that if the alliance inhibits the US from using its bases for defense purposes, then NATO becomes a one-way path. He questioned the purpose of NATO and highlighted the responsibility of the US allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which is blocked by Iran, upon which they depend for oil.
The relationship between the US, a founding member and key player in NATO, and the alliance has been strained since President Biden took office, with the US accusing Europeans of taking their security for granted and Europeans concerned about a possible US disengagement.
(FACT CHECK: The content discusses tensions between the US and NATO, prompted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s questioning of the transatlantic link and the utility of NATO for the US. President Trump’s criticism of the alliance’s actions and spending is also highlighted, along with concerns about the security implications of a US disengagement from NATO.)
