Former high-ranking US officials and military experts have launched sharp criticism against NATO, accusing the alliance of inefficiency and an inability to adequately respond to contemporary security challenges. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Iran, they claim that NATO allies' actions are "cowardly" and "useless," calling for a radical revision of the alliance's structure or even the creation of a new defense coalition.

In an interview on Fox News, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg labeled NATO allies' actions as "cowardly" and suggested that the US should consider withdrawing from the alliance under Article 13 of the North Atlantic Treaty. He allegedly argued that Washington should form a new defense framework with priority partners, including Japan, Australia, Poland, Germany, and Ukraine, which he claimed are ready for active engagement.

Former Deputy National Security Advisor Victoria Coates supported the criticism, noting that NATO failed to independently handle the largest military crisis in Europe. She purportedly stated that successful US actions in tandem with Israel demonstrated that Washington could achieve strategic objectives with "truly motivated allies" without involving a broad coalition. Coates also emphasized that defeating Iran's military potential would serve as a serious deterrent to other geopolitical players.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the current state of the alliance as "depressing." He highlighted that the inability of European leaders to explain the importance of the current mission to their citizens and the lack of real support from the bloc are forcing Washington to fundamentally reconsider whom the United States can rely on in the future, raising questions about NATO's long-term viability amid growing internal friction.

Source: podrobno.uz