Democrat, Republican senators agree expansion of NATO into Asia 'inevitable' amid growing China concern

Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., agreed Sunday that the expansion of NATO into Asia only a matter of time amid the alliance’s growing concern about China. 

During appearances on NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday, host Chuck Todd asked each senator, who described one another as close friends, whether they thought NATO expansion into Asia was "inevitable" over the next one to two decades. 

"Oh, I think it is. And I think it was a positive summit. I think there was a lot of progress," Sullivan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a military veteran who attended the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, himself, responded. 

Todd noted that the number of times China was mentioned in the NATO communique jumped from just once last year in Madrid, Spain, to over a dozen times this year in Lithuania. 

AS CHINA THREAT GROWS IN ASIA, JAPAN TO OPEN NATO LIAISON OFFICE TO COUNTER BEIJING

"It wasn't just the mention of China, several times, almost 20 times on my count. But, Chuck, you probably saw the leaders who were there. It was the prime minister of Japan, prime minister of Australia, the president of Korea. Our Senate delegation had the opportunity to meet with those leaders, and I think that was a really strong signal with regard to NATO," Sullivan said. 

The senator said the big message he reiterated to all leaders during the NATO summit and spoke about with President Biden and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is that all members of the alliance must meet the 2% of their GDP obligation for defense. He praised the newly inducted Sweden for meeting that commitment at the get-go, but slammed other NATO members as "laggards," specifically saying it was "unacceptable" for Canada to be contributing barely above 1%. 

"One of the critical issues that we have to keep pushing with regard to NATO is to get the rest of our allies to step up and do their part," he added. "You know, we want this alliance, which is one of the most successful military alliances in history, to be strong, to be sustainable. But it's undermined the sustainability of NATO when only seven of 31 members of NATO currently meet their 2% of GDP obligation for defense spending. That in my view has the potential to undermine even support for Ukraine in the near term and, longer term, the support for NATO." 

Asked the same question on NATO’s expansion into Asia, Duckworth said, "I think it is. I agree with my friend. And frankly, you know, it already has started to do that with our successful AUKUS agreement between the U.K., Australia, and the United States."

"Our Asian allies, I will tell you," she continued, "I travel extensively throughout the Indo-Pacific, and our Asian allies are looking very closely to what has happened with Ukraine and realize that there is a greater need to participate themselves in NATO, as well as NATO allies coming back into the Indo-Pacific region."

"I think what Vladimir Putin has done is not only has he expanded NATO, he's actually strengthened the resolve of countries like Japan and Korea and Taiwan and other nations," Duckworth added. "I mean, even the ASEAN nations put out a statement condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine. So he's in fact united the world, in a way, against what he's doing there."

NATO CALLS FOR JAPAN, OTHER DEMOCRACIES TO DEFEND AGAINST CHINA’S THREAT ON INTERNATIONAL ORDER

Todd pressed both Sullivan and Duckworth to react the blockade spearheaded by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who is holding back hundreds of military nominations and promotions in a bid to force the Pentagon to change its policy on using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions and travel reimbursements for military members to get abortions. 

Rejecting criticism that Tuberville’s effort posed a national security risk, Sullivan argued, "The biggest national security issue from my perspective, Chuck, is the Biden administration is continuing to put forward defense budget cuts during what everybody – and the president agrees with this, so does the security of defense – thinks is the most dangerous time since World War II, right? The budget for next year's going to take us below 3% of GDP spending. That's the lowest level in almost 70 years."

Duckworth, by contrast, condemned Tuberville, categorizing that for him "to really jeopardize our national security by injecting politics and preventing our military leaders from being able to take their positions and do their jobs, is really, you know, it's beyond distressing."

Canada wildfires: Trudeau, others mourn second firefighter death as smoke sparks further US air quality alerts

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered condolences Sunday amid news a second firefighter died amid battling this season's record blazes. 

A Fort Liard firefighter passed away "from an injury sustained while fighting a wildfire near their community on Saturday afternoon," the government for Canada's Northwest Territories announced in a statement Sunday. The firefighter has yet to be publicly identified. 

"I’m incredibly saddened by the news from the Northwest Territories, that another firefighter has lost their life battling wildfires," Trudeau tweeted Sunday. "To their family, their friends, and those they were heroically serving alongside: Canadians are keeping you in our thoughts. We’re here for you."

Wildfire Information Officer Jessica Davey-Quantick said the firefighter was involved in combating a blaze that started July 7 in the Fort Liard District and is currently about 16 miles southeast of the town. She told The Associated Press no other information about the firefighter would be provided until family members had been notified.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU BLAMES 'AMERICAN RIGHT-WING' FOR MUSLIMS OPPOSING LGBTQ CURRICULUM: 'LEAVE OUR KIDS ALONE!'

"I have spoken with the family to express my grief and to emphasize what a tremendous loss this is for everyone who knew them and for the community of Fort Liard," the territorial government's Environment and Climate Change Minister Shane Thompson said in a statement. "Firefighters across the territory have my utmost respect for their continued efforts to protect our homes and our communities while facing such extreme conditions. This has already been a very challenging season for NWT firefighters, with wildfires starting earlier than normal and within reach of our communities and other critical infrastructure."

"I commend all of our firefighters for their commitment to protect our communities and other items of value," Thompson said. "Their dedication to their work and by extension, our protection, does not go unnoticed – but also makes this loss even more painful. To think that one of our own firefighters was lost protecting their own community is incredibly saddening. I want to send my deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. I share your deep sorrow at this loss."

Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane added in a tweet, "This is a tragic loss for the entire territory, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to their family, friends and colleagues. The bravery and selflessness of our firefighters is an incredible gift to us all. Thank you for your service to our territory and to our country." 

CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE CAUSES AIR QUALITY ALERTS FROM MONTANA TO OHIO

The death came two days after firefighter Devyn Gale was killed by a falling tree near Revelstoke, British Columbia. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the 19-year-old woman’s team had lost contact with her before the accident, and she was found after a search.

As of Sunday, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre recorded 883 active fires, with about 24.5 million acres of land burned. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posted air quality alerts for several states stretching from Montana to Ohio on Sunday because of smoke blowing in from Canadian wildfires.

"Air Quality alerts are in place for much of the Great Lakes, Midwest, and northern High Plains," the National Weather Service said. "This is due to the lingering thick concentration of Canadian wildfire smoke over these regions. While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wain by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday that unhealthy air from the wildfires in Canada was expected to hit parts of New York state again Monday, mostly in northern and western parts of the state. She said the air quality index was forecasted to be 100 to 150 in those areas, when 0 to 50 is the norm. Her comments came at a news conference about heavy rain and flooding.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)