— from U.S. Representative Rick Larsen —
On July 21, 2016, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump questioned the United States’ existing agreements with and commitment to defending its NATO allies:
“For almost 70 years, the United States has been a proud partner in NATO—a partnership that is not just about mutual defense with 27 other countries and preventing another world war, but is also about protecting our values of democracy, peace, security and humanitarian assistance. After September 11, 2001, NATO supported the U.S. in the fight against terror and it is currently supporting the effort to destroy ISIL. Questioning our country’s commitment to an institution that is so critical to our own defense is reckless, dangerous and weakens our role in the world.”
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has existed to protect the freedom and security of its members since 1949 and it includes 28 independent member countries. The original treaty, which derives its authority from the United Nations Charter, has never been modified.
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Larsen is entirely right.