As President, Donald Trump hectored NATO countries for not spending enough on defense. The alliance had earlier agreed every member would spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, but quite a few did not live up to their promise. It now looks like Trump might be president again.
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg announced 23 of the 31 are now meeting that goal. This is a record number of members meeting the 2% goal.
You have to believe Trump's threat to not take seriously any attack on a country not paying their fair share has had something to do with the improved number meeting the goal. Russia attacking Ukraine also helped with the decision to spend more.
The list of shame - those spending less than 2% - includes: Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain. In spite of which a couple of those - Italy and Spain - host sizable US military bases, which is quite helpful both to Europe's defense and their national economies.
Of the nations spending less than 2% only a couple - Croatia, Slovenia - live in a "rough neighborhood" where threats seem imminent and both are somewhat economically disadvantaged.
