NATO leaders convened in The Hague on Tuesday under heightened security, with a proposed defense spending target of 5% of GDP dominating discussions. The two-day summit unfolds amid escalating Middle East tensions following a U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting Dutch authorities to deploy F-35 jets and Patriot missile systems to secure the venue.
The proposed spending framework—3.5% for direct military costs and 1.5% for infrastructure and related investments—aims to strengthen collective defense by 2035. While Eastern European members broadly support the measure, divisions persist. U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington’s refusal to commit to the target but urged allies to “fulfill their obligations.” Spain, opposing the benchmark, pledged to maintain spending at 2.1% of GDP.
This year’s summit reflects a scaled-back agenda compared to 2023, with Ukraine-related discussions deprioritized and the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting omitted entirely. Meanwhile, Indo-Pacific engagement shifted to closed-door talks between NATO’s secretary general and regional representatives.
Leaders are also expected to address fallout from the U.S.-Iran clash, with some members advocating diplomacy to ease regional tensions. The outcome could reshape NATO’s role in balancing global security priorities and alliance cohesion.
