Retired General Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine, suggested forming a new defense alliance to replace NATO, citing the organization's perceived "cowardice." In an interview on 2/4 with FOX News, Kellogg stated, "NATO ultimately proved cowardly. Perhaps we need a new NATO, a new defense structure."

Kellogg criticized NATO allies for not deploying forces to support the US in the Iran conflict, echoing President Trump's views. Trump had previously called NATO "cowardly, a paper tiger" for its failure to assist the US in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to withdraw the US from the world's largest military alliance.

US envoy Keith Kellogg in Munich, Germany, on 15/2. *Photo: Reuters*

Kellogg highlighted Article 13 of the NATO Treaty, which stipulates that any member can leave the alliance one year after submitting a notice of withdrawal. He proposed alternative alliance structures: "Let's restructure the defense networks we already have, perhaps build a new alliance with Japan, Australia, and some European countries like Germany, Poland. Even Ukraine, which has proven itself a good ally," he said.

During the same interview, former US deputy national security advisor Victoria Coates shared similar concerns, stating that NATO "has shown itself to be an organization with little real meaning" given its inability to manage the conflict in Ukraine independently. She added, "I don't think we really need them in the Middle East. Of course, it would be good to have their support, but what President Trump is showing is what America can do when standing with a truly determined ally like Israel."

President Trump's rhetoric has pushed NATO into its most precarious position. He has described European allies as providing "superficial support" for US and Israeli operations against Iran, issuing unprecedented harsh criticism of the alliance.

By law, President Trump cannot unilaterally withdraw Washington from the alliance. Such a decision would require the support of 2/3 of senators in the Senate or a bill passed by both houses of Congress. Despite this, most US legislators believe the country needs to remain in NATO.

Duc Trung (FOX News, AP, Reuters)