U.S. allies have grown a bit spoiled and barely notice any longer who’s holding that defense umbrella over their heads, allowing them to continue massive spending on their welfare states. Even Obama calls them “free riders.” According to a report by NATO last summer—mentioned by Trump in his speech—only five of the 28 total NATO members are meeting the alliance’s goal of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense: the U.S. (at 3 percent of GDP), Great Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia.
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