TPM - Marshall - "The Fix is In - NATO is Out"
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-fix-is-in-nato-is-out#more-1061519
By JOSH MARSHALL Published MAY 25, 2017 5:31 PM
Weve had a number of disquieting reports today from President Trumps trip to Brussels and a meeting of NATO leaders. I want to step back from the particulars and look at the larger picture.
As I noted earlier, Trump used a very high profile and public moment to chastise our NATO allies for not paying enough for their own defense and actually owing the US vast sums of money. As I explained below, this is demonstrably false, both in a general and specific sense. Beyond the inaccuracy, Trumps comments clearly envision a transformed and debilitated NATO, one that is one half protection racket, one half high-dollar membership golf resort. You pay your dues or youre out. Its a service, not a commitment.
Trump also declined to pledge his support for Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, the provision that commits all members states but most importantly the US to defend members who are attacked. Article 5 isnt a key part of NATO. Its the cornerstone. In many respects it is NATO.
Meanwhile, a report in der Spiegel suggests Trump viciously attacked German and its export practices in a meeting of NATO/EU leaders. His team also created confusion among their EU interlocutors by appearing not to understand that EU member states only make trade deals as a group. Its a bit hard to decipher precisely what was being discussed here. Was this really a misunderstanding or a bullheaded effort to make a point?
snip
last sentence
We should not lose sight of this elemental fact in what seems like a herky-jerky parade of provocations and gaffes on this latter portion of Trumps trip. The Russia story isnt just what happened last year. It continues.