BALKIN’ STATE
Trump rips ally Montenegro: ‘May start WWIII’
The compact nation of Montenegro, with its 629,000 “aggressive” residents, could ignite World War III — or so President Trump mused.
The President suggested the tiny Balkan nation could wield an outsized global influence during a Fox News interview with host Tucker Carlson where the subject turned to U.S. allies and NATO. The former Yugoslav republic last year joined the alliance created in 1949 for protection against the then-Soviet Union, and NATO membership now includes 29 nations.
“Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack?” asked Carlson.
“I understand what you’re saying,” said Trump, a constant and carping NATO critic. “You know, Montenegro is a tiny country with very strong people … They are very aggressive people. They may get aggressive, and congratulations — you’re in World War III.
“But that’s the way it was set up. Don’t forget, I just got here a little more than a year-and-ahalf ago.”
The scenario presented by Carlson would occur under NATO Article 5, invoked just once among the member nations when the U.S. called for aid after the 9/11 terror attacks. The article cannot be used if the NATO member is the aggressor against another nation.
Montenegro, despite a military comprised of just 1,500 troops, currently has about 20 troops serving in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission there.
In 2016, Montenegro officials accused Russia nationalists of plotting the assassination of its prime minister for a supposed coup over the government’s decision to join NATO.
“The people of Montenegro boldly withstood pressure from Putin’s Russia to embrace democracy,” tweeted Sen. John McCain. “By attacking Montenegro and questioning our obligations under NATO, the President is playing right into Putin’s hands.”
Former NATO commander Gen. Wesley Clark also took a shot at Trump, noting that Article 5 was intended to prevent international warfare.
“Montenegro is still sending troops to Afghanistan for us,” said Clark. “Worrying to hear Trump using Russian talking points with Tucker Carlson about Montenegro.”
A NATO official noted that Trump has vowed to stand by the alliance in the past.
“Our collective defense clause, Article Five, is unconditional and iron-clad,” the official told CNN. “It means that an attack on one is an attack on all. President Trump has made clear that the U.S. is fully committed to NATO and our Alliance is stronger than ever.”
Last week, Trump raised eyebrows by criticizing America’s NATO allies at a summit in Brussels, charging they’re not paying their fair share of the funding. Trump has shrugged at the criticism, and maintains his action paid off with commitments from other countries that they’d up their spending, though there’s no evidence that’s true.