US Questionnaire to NATO: Allies Asked to Assess Reform Plans

Background: The "NATO 3.0" Concept

According to information from Washington, the driving force behind the push is the nominee for Under Secretary of State for Policy at the US Department of Defense, Elbridge Colby, who has for months been pursuing a fundamental restructuring of the transatlantic security architecture. In earlier statements, Colby had already demanded that European states permanently build up their own conventional capabilities that do not depend on US contributions.

Within alliance staffs, the questionnaire is regarded as an unusual step, since comparable surveys within NATO are normally coordinated through the permanent representations or the international staff in Brussels. The direct dispatch from Washington underscores, in the view of diplomats, the political signaling nature of the action. One alliance partner spoke of a "klaren Erwartungshorizont" toward the European capitals.

Reactions in Berlin and Ottawa

According to the available information, Germany is among the countries that want to answer the questionnaire promptly. In Berlin, the request is being reviewed by both the Ministry of Defense and the Foreign Office. Official statements from the federal government were initially not available. Observers interpret this as an effort to avoid placing additional strain on the German-American relationship.

Canada has also received the questionnaire, according to information from Ottawa. The Canadian government had signaled repeatedly in recent months that it is interested in closer coordination with Washington on security matters. In Brussels, it is expected that Ottawa will respond in a manner similar to other European governments.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had most recently shown himself fundamentally open to a discussion on a fairer burden-sharing, while at the same time emphasizing that such changes could only be decided by consensus among all 32 member states. The Alliance is currently preparing a meeting of foreign ministers in the autumn, at which the issue is expected to play a central role.

Evaluation Expected by Late Summer

European diplomats hold differing assessments. While some see the questionnaire as a useful tool for identifying their own gaps, others fear that the responses will be used as a basis for later demands for higher defense spending. The debate comes at a time when several European states have already significantly increased their defense budgets.

The coming weeks are considered decisive: all responses are to be evaluated by late summer. According to the available information, Washington then intends to present concrete proposals for the structure of the Alliance, which are then to be discussed at the NATO Summit next year.

In Brussels, it is meanwhile emphasized that any reform must take place within the existing treaties, in particular the Washington Treaty of 1949. A formal amendment to the Alliance treaty is currently considered unlikely, as it would require ratification in all member states.

The initiative is part of a broader US strategy to hold European allies more accountable. This also includes ongoing negotiations on trade and technology issues as well as discussions about the future scope of the US military presence in Europe.