Wallets Before Principles? Economic Pressures and the Resilience of NATO's Foundational Values

Adam Danielsson, Carlos Aldecoa, Madeleine Cremona, Mihaly Jirkovszky-Bari

Is money or are values driving NATO decisions? With war returning to Europe’s doorstep and the world order transforming, the Alliance is put under pressure to balance ideological commitments with straining economic realities. From burden-sharing, supply chains, collective defence and spending, this article explores how economic considerations shape NATO’s decisions and how, ultimately, they cannot outweigh the Alliance's foundational principles.