There is a greater potential for the United States to be drawn into NATO conflicts as a force of last resort, because the United States’ partners in NATO are failing to uphold their end of the security partnership, House Armed Service Committee Chairman Robert Wittman said.
When asked by RIA Novosti whether the lack of NATO preparedness is making it more likely for the United States to be drawn into conflicts in Eastern Europe involving Russia, Wittman stated, “The potential is certainly there to be drawn in as the force of last resort.”
“I think the longer term issue is how we make sure that our partnerships are sound," said Wittman at a Thursday CSIS event, "that members under NATO are living up to their responsibility and not expecting that the United States will come to their aid without them properly resourcing their capabilities in those areas [of defense]."
Wittman addressed an ongoing CSIS event series dealing with US military preparedness at a time of increased budget uncertainty. The sequestration that took effect in 2013 to control US debt was relaxed this year, from $31.2 billion in FY2013 to $3.4 billion in cuts in FY2014. It is expected that the cuts will increase substantially in 2015, decreasing the funds available for defense systems, upgrades, and equipment that will be needed for a flexible US military prepared to handle to future conflicts.
Congressman Wittman criticized the preparedness of NATO allies, particularly regarding the crisis in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, and the reliance on the US, despite its harsh budget constraints. “You can’t expect the United States to do it all,” said Wittman. Referring to the majority of European allies, he continued, “They are not close to the 2 percent GDP that they’re bound to put forth. We have to, as a nation, continue to push our allies there.”
Wittman told RIA Novosti that while NATO should not expect the United States to get dragged into its conflicts if they are unwilling to support their own capabilities, their lack of preparedness leaves the US more likely to get involved. “[They think], ‘Don’t worry about it; the United States will always jump in.’ And the problem is, we will be in that position if we don’t force our NATO partners to do their fair share. And that’s how we prevent getting unnecessarily drawn in in those situations.”
