Donald Trump and NATO: Why His Silence on Article 5 Is a Big Deal
Donald Trump and NATO: Why His Silence on Article 5 Is a Big Deal
by Alexander Smith
LONDON — President Donald Trump has often shocked and confounded the world with his unique brand of rhetoric.
But on Thursday it was what he did not say that caused a stir.
The 45th president had been expected to promise that America would defend its NATO allies if they ever came under attack. That principle of collective defense is, in theory, cemented by Article 5 of the alliance's charter, NATO's core tenet. It means that "an attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all."
No other president since NATO was founded in 1949 has questioned that principle — until Trump.
READ MORE: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/trump-s-f...
by Alexander Smith
LONDON — President Donald Trump has often shocked and confounded the world with his unique brand of rhetoric.
But on Thursday it was what he did not say that caused a stir.
The 45th president had been expected to promise that America would defend its NATO allies if they ever came under attack. That principle of collective defense is, in theory, cemented by Article 5 of the alliance's charter, NATO's core tenet. It means that "an attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all."
No other president since NATO was founded in 1949 has questioned that principle — until Trump.
READ MORE: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/trump-s-f...
It was a brilliant strategic move.