Part 5/9:
Moving into the 21st century, NATO's collective defense principle operated under a conditional umbrella. The alliance found itself empowered by invoking Article 5 following the September 11 attacks. However, it faced an evolving landscape once the Iraq War developed, marking a transition where U.S. military decisions initiated questions about the future of NATO cooperation.
Recent years have resurrected similar concerns, significantly accentuated under the presidency of Donald Trump. His calls for increased defense spending from European allies reignited historical grievances about perceived free-riding. As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, prevailing perceptions of dysfunction and division continue.