Gates tries to spur NATO allies to greater action
Libyan air campaign reveals serious shortcomings in commitment, coordination
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Jun 15, 2011
Defense Secretary Robert Gates blasted NATO nations during a speech in Brussels June 10 for their reluctance to invest heavily both militarily and politically in the alliance, and he warned them that the United States might not be willing or able to carry the majority of the alliance’s warfighting load as it has in the past, reports the New York Times.
The air campaign against Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi, in which Washington has pulled back from its traditional leadership role, has proved problematic because of the lack of commitment and coordination exhibited by NATO nations participating in the campaign.
The United States, which in the past has funded nearly three-quarters of the total military spending by all NATO countries, wants European nations to bear more of the cost of the alliance's military campaigns around the globe.