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NATO should be more based on partnership instead of dependency, Pentagon policy chief says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 12, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 12, 2026
Home > Finance > NATO should be more based on partnership instead of dependency, Pentagon policy chief says
Quick Summary
Pentagon's policy chief calls for NATO to focus on partnership rather than dependency, with increased military spending by Europe and Canada making allies more equal.
Pentagon Official Advocates for NATO Partnership Over Dependency
NATO's Evolving Defense Strategy
BRUSSELS, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Increased military spending by Europe countries and Canada will make NATO allies more equal partners within the alliance, U.S. Under Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby said on Thursday.
Commitment to European Defense
"In 2025 we saw a genuine commitment to have Europe lead the conventional defence of NATO," the Pentagon's policy chief said before a meeting with defence ministers from NATO countries in Brussels.
Partnership vs. Dependency
"Now it's time to march out together, to be pragmatic, we have a really strong basis for working together in partnership, for a NATO based on partnership rather than dependency. Really a return to what NATO originally was intended for," he said.
(Reporting by Andrew Gray and Bart Meijer, editing by Inti Landauro)
Key Takeaways
- •Pentagon's policy chief emphasizes NATO partnership over dependency.
- •Increased military spending by Europe and Canada is crucial.
- •A shift towards European leadership in NATO's defense is noted.
- •The original intent of NATO as a partnership is highlighted.
- •Meeting with NATO defense ministers in Brussels discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions about NATO should be more based on partnership instead of dependency, Pentagon policy chief says
1What is NATO?
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe established for mutual defense against aggression.
2What is dependency in international relations?
Dependency in international relations refers to a situation where one country relies heavily on another for security, resources, or support.
