The initiative belongs to the Pentagon's policy chief, Elbridge Colby, who leads a closed working group focused on the future of NATO.
In a move causing severe friction within the Atlantic Alliance, the administration of Donald Trump excluded key allies—including the United Kingdom, France, and the Baltic nations—from the upcoming critical meeting of NATO members in Poland. The decision has sent shockwaves through European capitals, sparking fears of a two-tier NATO structure driven by political compliance rather than mutual defense commitments.
The "Bergen Group" and the roster of obedience
The initiative belongs to the Pentagon's policy chief, Elbridge Colby, who leads a closed working group focused on the future of NATO. In this new club of "select" members—known as the "Bergen Group"—only six nations participate: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands. This selection translates Washington's threats into practice by creating a list of compliant and non-compliant allies, penalizing those who diverge from the priorities of the US president. Denmark appears as the next candidate for entry into this exclusive club, as a quid pro quo for agreeing to extend the American military presence in Greenland.
Outrage and confusion across European capitals
Diplomats from the excluded states express intense dissatisfaction and bewilderment, given that these countries allocate massive funds toward defense spending and form the backbone of the alliance. "We are doing everything requested of us. We are trying to understand the criteria and objective of these meetings, but we are informed of nothing," stated a representative of an excluded member state.
Pressure for defense spending at 5% of GDP
Despite assurances from members of the "Bergen Group" that the initiative does not aim to fracture NATO but rather to formulate reform proposals, this discriminatory tactic threatens to dangerously widen the rift. This development serves as the climax of intense pressure exerted by the United States on its allies to drastically boost defense budgets, setting the benchmark at 5% of GDP.
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