Donald Trump, the President of the United States, said in an interview with The Telegraph that Washington is seriously considering withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He once again described NATO as a “paper tiger” and said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the weaknesses and inefficiencies of the military alliance. The United States provides about 22.16 percent of NATO’s budget, and experts warn that if the country withdraws, NATO could face a serious crisis or even collapse. These remarks come at the same time as the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had previously asked NATO members to cooperate in reopening this important maritime route, but reports indicate that members of the alliance refused to join, saying that this is not their war. Experts believe that increasing tensions between the United States and its NATO allies could have wide-ranging consequences for global security and the balance of power against Russia.
