Former US Military Leaders Argue for Continued NATO Commitment

Ahead of Munich Security Conference, ex-EUCOM commanders say NATO is vital to US economic and security interests.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 11:39am

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A group of 16 former U.S. European Command leaders and American ambassadors to NATO published an open letter arguing that American leadership in the alliance delivers economic benefits and protects U.S. interests worldwide. The letter comes ahead of the Munich Security Conference, where the future of the post-Cold War order will be a key topic of discussion.

Why it matters

The letter aims to counter growing skepticism in Washington about the value of U.S. involvement in NATO, which has become a political hot button issue. The signatories argue that withdrawing from NATO or diminishing its utility would undermine American global influence and trade security, potentially leading to conflict with major trading partners.

The details

The letter lays out a series of reasons why the U.S. should maintain its commitment to NATO, which has been a cornerstone of American security strategy for over 70 years. The former EUCOM commanders argue that NATO gives the U.S. guaranteed access to a network of bases throughout Europe that provide a springboard for global operations, and that without a U.S. presence, Russia and China could be more inclined to challenge countries reliant on NATO's collective security guarantee.

  • The open letter was published on February 12, 2026, ahead of the Munich Security Conference starting on February 14, 2026.

The players

Curtis Scaparrotti

A retired U.S. general who served as Commander of U.S. European Command and as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe under President Donald Trump.

Tod Wolters

A retired U.S. general who also served as Commander of U.S. European Command and as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe under President Trump.

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Former U.S. ambassador to NATO under President Trump.

Thomas Massie

A Republican Congressman from Kentucky who introduced a proposal to withdraw the United States from NATO, which he deemed a costly Cold War relic.

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What’s next

The Munich Security Conference, which begins on February 14, 2026, will be a key forum for discussing the future of NATO and the post-Cold War international order.

The takeaway

This letter from former U.S. military leaders underscores the continued strategic importance of NATO to American interests, even as political debates over the alliance's value persist in Washington. Their economic and security arguments aim to counter growing skepticism about U.S. involvement in the alliance.