President Donald Trump is reportedly considering measures to penalize NATO allies who have not supported his conflict with Iran. It is said that the US President is creating a list resembling a “naughty and nice” classification of NATO countries based on their participation in the US-Israel confrontation with Tehran.
The coordinated effort involved the US and Israel launching ‘Operation Epic Fury’ on February 28, resulting in widespread conflict in the Middle East due to missile attacks on Iran. Despite this, NATO allies such as the UK and France have refrained from direct involvement in the war, advocating for peace amid global fuel scarcity caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports from three European diplomats and a US defense official to Politico, US officials have compiled a breakdown of NATO members’ contributions, categorizing countries into different tiers. The White House’s list appears to sort countries into “naughty and nice” distinctions, although specific details are not yet public.
An unnamed European official expressed uncertainty about concrete punitive measures for uncooperative allies, suggesting that moving troops could primarily harm the US. President Trump has explicitly warned of consequences for allies who do not comply, even hinting at a complete withdrawal from the alliance.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly emphasized the US’s dissatisfaction with allies’ lack of support during Operation Epic Fury and highlighted President Trump’s stance on the matter. The potential inclusion of Romania and Poland on the ‘nice’ list is speculated, given their substantial support, with Poland covering most expenses for hosting American troops and Romania facilitating US military activities against Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously hinted at rewarding model allies like Israel, South Korea, Poland, Germany, and the Baltics, while warning of repercussions for allies failing to fulfill collective defense duties. The situation underscores growing tension within NATO as countries navigate their roles in international conflicts.