NATO Allies Pledge 5% GDP, Split Defense Spending

President Donald Trump publicly shared a private, congratulatory message from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on social media ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague. Rutte praised Trump's decisive action in Iran and credited him with securing an agreement for all NATO members to increase defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, specifying the spending will be split between conventional military expenses and infrastructure or cybersecurity. NATO confirmed the message's authenticity and noted that such a commitment had not been achieved by previous U.S. presidents. The public disclosure of the private correspondence was widely seen as a breach of diplomatic protocol and fueled debate over diplomatic norms. The summit's agenda was reportedly adjusted to accommodate Trump's preferences, emphasizing his central role in the alliance's negotiations. Rutte's message and its publication have intensified discussions about NATO's internal dynamics.