Mark Esper is a “big believer in NATO” — and he has a pointed message for America’s allies. The former U.S. defense secretary for President Donald Trump tells Independence Avenue Media that European allies questioning Washington’s reliability should look in the mirror: “Do you have the interest? Yes. But do you have the capability? No.” Esper says NATO must be ready to face both Russia and China, and that allies pushing their 5% defense-spending commitments to the 2030s are falling short.
Esper also explains why Trump’s announcement that Ukraine will get a license to produce Patriot interceptors is “more of a signal of support than an immediate material benefit,” why he supports a path to NATO membership for Ukraine — including a possible “West Germany model” — and what Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death means for the Russia sanctions bill now before Congress.
