NATO is in turmoil just as the military alliance confronts the deadliest conflict on its doorstep since World War II. At a summit in The Hague this week, European leaders tried to convince President Donald Trump not to withdraw US troops and weaponry from the region or pull the military aid that’s helped Ukraine avoid being overrun by Russian forces.

In their rush to retain Donald Trump's support for NATO, the alliance's European members have promised to more than double the amount of wealth they set aside for military spending.

In the run-up to the summit, Spain emerged as the lone holdout against the spending target. Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, is in a tight spot at home, battling allegations of corruption by his aides and unable to pass a budget. “A 5% spending would be disproportionate and unnecessary,” he said on June 22nd.