Could this be a serious diplomatic tension brewing because
of Trump’s election to the White House and his firm stand with respect to NATO
and Syria in particular?
This is because the head of Britain’s Armed Forces in a
media chat revealed to Sky News that with or without Donald Trump acceptance of
the relevance of NATO presently, the organisation will continue to withstand
the test of time.
Trump's previous comments not withstanding, Air Chief
Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, reaffirms his conviction that the new US commander in
chief will support NATO's commitment to provide security.
According to him, "It is a very durable and enduring
organisation."
"NATO is a collective security organisation and in that
role it's very important that we honour that commitment.
"I have every confidence that commitment will be
honoured should that be necessary."
In an interview with The Observer newspaper, Mr Stoltenberg,
NATO’s secretary general stated that: "We face the greatest challenges to
our security in a generation.
"This is no time to question the partnership between
Europe and the United States."
He further emphasised that instead of weakening the
relationship NATO has built with its allies, the time has come to "nurture
what unites" them under America's leadership.
Mr Trump is strongly of the view that other NATO members
should pay more into the alliance. This is because, at present, the US accounts
for 70% of NATO spending.
Mr Stoltenberg said: "European leaders have always
understood that going it alone is not an option.
"It is all too easy to take the freedoms, security and
prosperity we enjoy for granted.
"In these uncertain times we need strong American
leadership, and we need Europeans to shoulder their fair share of the burden.
"But above all we need to recognise the value of the
partnership between Europe and America. It remains indispensable."
During the media chat, Sir Stuart Peach also emphasised the
strong military relationship between the UK and the US.
"We have a very wide and a very deep relationship with
the US through the armed forces," he said.
"The military links between our two countries are
strong and they very very broadly based, and they will continue to be so.
"Mr Trump's election is just another moment in US
history."
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