NATO Military Chief Reassures Washington on 5% GDP Spending Goal

The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, stated that European allies are systematically expanding their military capabilities to meet an unprecedented defense spending target of 5% of individual member GDP. The Italian admiral’s remarks followed a blistering speech delivered by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where the Pentagon chief heavily criticized European partners for emptying their militaries and leaving Western Europe desperately playing catch-up.