Trump Questions NATO’s Role After 9/11
In a Jan. 22 interview with FOX Business, Trump cast doubt on NATO’s dependability, suggesting that the U.S. has long carried most of the responsibility while allied nations avoided the most dangerous roles.
“We have never really asked anything of them. You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And they did — they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines,” Trump told FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo.
His remarks quickly drew criticism, including from the Duke of Sussex, who spent a decade serving in the British Army.
Harry Highlights NATO’s Historic Response
In a statement released through his spokesperson to Fox News Digital, Prince Harry pushed back, emphasizing NATO’s formal and historic response to the attacks on the United States.
“In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first — and only — time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call,” he said.
Article 5 refers to NATO’s collective defense agreement, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
A Personal Account of War and Loss
Harry then turned to his own experience, stressing that the mission came at a heavy human cost for those who served.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed.”
He added that the consequences of the war extended far beyond the battlefield, affecting countless families across NATO nations.
“Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.”
A Call for Respect and Accuracy
Prince Harry concluded by urging care and respect when discussing the war and the sacrifices made by America’s allies.
“Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.”
Prince Harry’s Military Background and Life After Royal Duties
Prince Harry served in the British Army for 10 years and later founded the Invictus Games in 2014, a global sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service members.
He has been estranged from the royal family since stepping back from his role as a senior working royal in 2020 alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple relocated to California, citing intense media intrusion and a lack of institutional support from the palace as key reasons for their departure.
