United States & Canada

How Washington's questionnaire is testing European loyalty and putting NATO allies under pressure

President Trump and President Macron / photo: WH

As the Trump administration reviews where US troops should remain stationed in Europe, a questionnaire sent to NATO allies is raising eyebrows across the continent. The Netherlands has now confirmed it received the survey and will respond. Officially, it is presented as part of discussions on Europe's growing role within NATO. Yet several of the questions go far beyond defence spending and military capabilities.Why does Washington want to know whether allies publicly support US foreign policy? Why are American operations in the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere explicitly mentioned? And could answers influence future decisions about the deployment of US troops in Europe?

Exclusive reporting and analysis from The Hague.
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