US President Donald Trump has once again questioned whether NATO allies would “be there” if the United States “ever needed them,” baselessly claiming that the alliance’s troops “stayed a little back” from the front lines in Afghanistan. For 20 years, NATO allies and other partner countries fought alongside US troops in Afghanistan – a sacrifice Trump has routinely downplayed. And they did – they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines,” he said. Prince Harry, who was twice deployed to Afghanistan, said in a statement provided by his spokesperson that the sacrifices of NATO troops deserve respect. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call.

Source: CNN January 23, 2026 21:48 UTC