US Criticizes Czech Spending as Europe Shifts on Defense and Nuclear Policy
Mar 12th 2026
Tensions over defense funding, weapons deliveries and the legality of strikes on Iran are driving a rapid rethink of European and NATO posture, while France seeks new nuclear cooperation with partners including Norway.
- The United States publicly rebuked the Czech Republic for low defense spending.
- Poland warned the Iran war could delay scheduled US weapons deliveries to the region.
- US and Gulf forces are countering Iranian strikes primarily with Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have questioned the legality of recent US strikes on Iran.
- Norway said it is ready to begin talks with France as Macron pushes a major European nuclear cooperation shift amid concerns about Russia, China and changing US defense priorities.