British Armed Forces chief says NATO will survive Trump threat

The head of Britain’s Armed Forces is sure NATO will survive, despite US President-elect Donald Trump describing the organisation as “obsolete”. Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said that Mr Trump’s election is just another moment in US history. And Sir Stuart is certain the new U.S. commander in chief will support NATO’s commitment to provide security. “NATO is a collective security organisation and in that role it’s very important that we honour that commitment. I have every confidence that commitment will be honoured should that be necessary.”

It is a very durable and enduring organisation.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach

His statement comes as NATO’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg warned Mr Trump that going it alone is not an option. Mr Stoltenberg said: “We face the greatest challenges to our security in a generation. "This is no time to question the partnership between Europe and the United States.” He said that rather than diluting the links between the NATO allies, now was the time to “nurture what unites” them under America’s leadership. During the election campaign, Mr Trump was lukewarm at best in his attitude to NATO. He raised questions about whether the U.S. would automatically come to the aid of an endangered ally, and he spoke warmly about Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump believes other NATO members should pay more into the alliance.

Europe