Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, representing Alaska and serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has called for an increase in NATO's minimum defense spending commitment. As the annual NATO summit commenced in Washington, Senator Sullivan emphasized the growing global threats posed by countries like Russia, China, and Iran.

Senator Sullivan expressed concerns about certain NATO allies not meeting their defense spending commitments. He specifically mentioned Canada as a country that has yet to present a plan to meet the agreed-upon two percent of GDP defense spending benchmark. "Our NATO allies must do more to confront this moment," he stated. "This must change. There is no excuse."

The senator acknowledged that recent estimates indicate more NATO members are on track to meet their commitments but stressed that Congress will be monitoring their progress closely.

In light of current global challenges, Senator Sullivan urged for a reassessment of the existing two percent GDP benchmark for defense spending within NATO. He suggested that a higher commitment may be necessary to address what he described as "a new era of authoritarian aggression."