US ambassador to NATO: Europe ranks fourth in US national security priorities

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated at a public event focused on the future of the Alliance that Europe currently ranks fourth among US national security priorities, behind the homeland, the Western Hemisphere, and the Indo-Pacific.

America first, then the hemisphere, Indo-Pacific, then Europe

Whitaker said: "These are the foundational documents that define our philosophy. And at this point that philosophy is: first our homeland, second our own hemisphere, third the Pacific region, and fourth Europe."

He nonetheless stressed that the United States plays a leading role in NATO and contributes significant resources, adding that the current administration's decision to set priorities this way does not diminish the US commitment to European security.