In a move that appears to be a response to the lack of support from some NATO allies regarding his conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump is reportedly working on a list categorizing countries based on their involvement in the US-Israel conflict with Tehran.
The joint military operation named ‘Operation Epic Fury’ on February 28 involved the US and Israel launching missiles into Iran, triggering a significant conflict in the Middle East. However, NATO allies like the UK and France have refrained from direct participation in the conflict, advocating for peace amidst global oil and gas shortages caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports from European diplomats and a US defense official revealed that US officials have compiled a blueprint detailing NATO members’ contributions, sorting countries into different tiers. While the list is rumored to classify countries as “naughty and nice,” specific details remain undisclosed.
Trump has previously warned of consequences for allies not supporting US interests, including the possibility of complete withdrawal from alliances. White House statements suggest dissatisfaction with allies’ lack of support during Operation Epic Fury, emphasizing that the US will remember such actions.
The ‘nice’ list criteria remain ambiguous, but countries like Romania and Poland are speculated to be favored for their support. Poland covers most expenses related to hosting American troops, while Romania recently expanded an air base for US military use in the conflict with Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hinted at distinguishing between good and bad NATO allies, praising countries like Israel, South Korea, Poland, Germany, and the Baltics for their support while cautioning consequences for nations failing to uphold collective defense efforts.