Former US presidential special envoy to Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, has said that NATO may need to be replaced, claiming that the organisation has shown itself to be “cowardly” during the conflict with Iran. He said on Fox News.
“NATO is turning into cowards… We may need a new NATO, a new defence structure,” Kellogg said.
He suggested alternative alliances to the alliance.
“Rethink the defence structures that we have to, perhaps create them with Japan and Australia and also from some of the European countries that are willing to go to war, such as the new, re-engaged Germany or Poland. Even Ukraine, which has also shown itself to be a good ally,” the retired Lieutenant General noted.
In the context of a likely withdrawal from NATO, he pointed to Article 13 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which says any party can withdraw from NATO one year after giving notice of denunciation.
The US president asked NATO to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Since the US-Israeli military operation began on 28 February, Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the world’s oceans. The strait is of strategic importance as it is used to supply oil from the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf to the world market.
Several European countries that are members of NATO have said they are willing to consider providing assistance once the conflict is over, while others have flatly rejected the request.
According to the Financial Times, Donald Trump has threatened to cut off arms supplies to Ukraine to force European allies to join a “coalition of the willing” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On 1 April, US President Donald Trump said he was seriously considering the United States leaving NATO after alliance members failed to join military action against Iran.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would have to reassess its relationship with NATO after the war with Iran is over. In an interview with Al Jazeera TV channel, Rubio expressed disappointment that a number of European NATO member states refused to support the conflict with Iran at the request of the United States.