The U.S. ally — which is smaller than Connecticut and about as populous as Baltimore — found itself in the president’s cross hairs.
LONDON — In the 12 short years since Montenegro regained its independence, the European country has joined NATO, boosted its defense spending, and according to official figures contributes more troops per capita to the war in Afghanistan than the United States.
Yet this U.S. ally — smaller than Connecticut and about as populous as Baltimore — found itself in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs late Tuesday as he once again criticized NATO.
The president suggested he would be unhappy defending “tiny” Montenegro if it were attacked, calling into question NATO’s central principle of mutual defense.
He also questioned whether the country’s “very aggressive people” could draw NATO into a war with Russia.
Like other presidents before him, Trump wants smaller NATO members to pull their weight by spending more on their militaries. But he’s the first to directly challenge the alliance’s mutual defense clause. Critics say that destabilizes one of the foundations of the post-World War II Western world.
Trump did not bring up Montenegro himself. It was used as an example by Tucker Carlson during an interview on Fox News.
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Like other presidents before him, Trump wants smaller NATO members to pull their weight by spending more on their militaries. But he's the first to directly challenge the alliance's mutual defense clause. https://t.co/bSUI3hZonF (5/5)
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 18, 2018
This is the most dangerous thing the president could say. Nothing is more perilous than sending ambiguous signals to Moscow about American defense commitments. https://t.co/arsf0vrQEm
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) July 18, 2018
Cynical opportunists in the pro-Trump camp bandy about the idea that Trump's critics want "war," but it is they who, through their excuse making for a reckless president, enable behavior that make conflict more likely. https://t.co/2EudoLe1Mr
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) July 18, 2018
“A friend of mine told me that Montenegro has been very aggressive towards Russia”
“Who was the friend?”
“The president of Russia” https://t.co/lJeSVSIx1F— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) July 18, 2018
Trump says he's bothered by provisions of NATO that require the US to come to the defense of other member countries. pic.twitter.com/2xY1FjBTSn
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 18, 2018
So Trump has found another target to bully — a small nation I’ll bet he couldn’t find on a map. Where is the proof that this tiny country has ever been aggressive to snyone? Or did he get this from his master, Putin? I’m sure Putin would be very happy if the US pulled its military support from Montenegro or any other nation the little boy-in-chief chose. Hey, Russia annexed Crimea with nothing from the US. Why not Montenegro?
"Aggressive Montenegro" is #Putin talk. #Trump is only parroting it. pic.twitter.com/3awGw0whg8
— Mika Peltokorpi (@MikaPeltokorpi) July 18, 2018
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