Czech Republic & Central Europe — 2026-03-18
Babis Rejects Higher Defense Spending, Czech Republic 'Certainly Not' on Path to NATO Targets
PM Babis stated the Czech Republic is 'certainly not' on track for higher defense spending, pushing back against NATO's 5% GDP target. The position puts Prague at odds with both Washington's demands and the alliance's eastern flank posture as the Iran war and Russia-Ukraine conflict strain European defense capacity.