This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
US President Donald Trump is hosting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday, November 7, 2019, amidst growing tensions within the 70-year-old military alliance.
The meeting comes a week after French President Emmanuel Macron sparked controversy by declaring that NATO was experiencing 'brain death' due to a lack of coordination between the US and Europe.
Macron's comments were met with a strong defense of the alliance by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who described NATO as 'indispensable.'
Trump and Stoltenberg are expected to discuss a range of issues, including NATO allies' progress on increasing defense spending and ensuring more equitable burden-sharing.
They will also discuss counterterrorism, cyber-security, and protecting critical infrastructure.
Stoltenberg's visit to Washington also includes meetings with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and members of Congress, as well as a ministerial-level meeting of a broad international coalition against the Islamic State group.
