Why NATO Matters

Column: The Atlantic alliance is crucial to American deterrence
NATO

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BY: Matthew Continetti  — 

President Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, has opened another round of debate on the purpose and future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Since assuming office, Trump has moved away from his earlier position that NATO is obsolete, preferring instead to highlight the disparity between U.S. defense expenditures (3.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product) and those of other signatories to the treaty, especially Germany (1.2 percent). Indeed, Trump rightly views the commitments of NATO powers to increase defense spending as one of the ways he has strengthened the alliance.

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FBI Director Warns China is America’s Most Significant Intelligence Threat

Beijing engaged in 'pervasive' targeting of US secrets, Wray says
FBI Director Christopher Wray
BY: Bill Gertz  — 

China is engaged in aggressive intelligence operations in the United States, ranging from the recruitment of academics to stealing agricultural secrets from farmers, FBI Director Christopher Wray says.

“I think China, from a counterintelligence perspective represents the broadest, most challenging, most significant threat we face as a country,” Wray said during a security conference in Colorado.

Trump Admin Divided on Level of Support for Iranian Protesters

Analysis: Ahead of major Pompeo speech, dissidents beg for concrete action on Iran's hardline ruling regime
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
BY: Adam Kredo  — 

Iranian dissidents and congressional opponents of the hardline ruling regime in Tehran are pushing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to end a secret deal with Iran that has prevented the United States from leveling sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s chief propaganda network, which has been working to quash a wave of popular protests, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

FBI Director Warns China is America’s Most Significant Intelligence Threat

Beijing engaged in 'pervasive' targeting of US secrets, Wray says
FBI Director Christopher Wray
BY: Bill Gertz  — 

China is engaged in aggressive intelligence operations in the United States, ranging from the recruitment of academics to stealing agricultural secrets from farmers, FBI Director Christopher Wray says.

“I think China, from a counterintelligence perspective represents the broadest, most challenging, most significant threat we face as a country,” Wray said during a security conference in Colorado.

Trump Admin Divided on Level of Support for Iranian Protesters

Analysis: Ahead of major Pompeo speech, dissidents beg for concrete action on Iran's hardline ruling regime
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
BY: Adam Kredo  — 

Iranian dissidents and congressional opponents of the hardline ruling regime in Tehran are pushing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to end a secret deal with Iran that has prevented the United States from leveling sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s chief propaganda network, which has been working to quash a wave of popular protests, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.