Pentagon declines to reaffirm NATO's collective defense, says up to Trump - Reuters

The Pentagon has declined to reaffirm NATO's Article 5 collective defense commitment, effectively deferring the decision to President Trump. Article 5 is NATO's cornerstone provision stating that an armed attack on one member is an attack on all, which has bound the alliance together since its founding in 1949. This move signals a significant shift in U.S. posture toward the alliance and reflects the Trump administration's stated intent to reassess America's role and financial contributions to NATO. The decision leaves uncertainty about whether the U.S. will continue to guarantee the defense of NATO's 32 member states, a promise that has anchored European security strategy for decades. Trump has long questioned the cost-benefit of NATO membership and has suggested the U.S. might not defend members that don't meet defense spending benchmarks.