Trump Admin Plans 'Naughty And Nice' Ranking Of NATO Allies On Iran War Support: Report

Last Updated:April 22, 2026, 22:37 IST

The proposal would categorise member countries into tiers depending on their contributions and willingness to back US-led military efforts.

The Trump administration is reportedly working on a plan to rank NATO allies into a “naughty and nice" list based on their support for the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, POLITICO reported on Wednesday.

The proposal would categorise member countries into tiers depending on their contributions and willingness to back US-led military efforts. The initiative was reportedly developed ahead of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Washington earlier this month.

Officials familiar with the discussions told POLITICO that the plan included a broad assessment of each country’s role within the alliance, particularly in relation to the ongoing war with Iran.

The reported move is seen as part of a wider push by US President Donald Trump to pressure allies into aligning more closely with US foreign policy goals. It also reflects ongoing tensions within NATO, which have been strained by repeated disagreements over defence commitments and strategic priorities.

The idea mirrors earlier remarks by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had suggested that countries contributing more actively to collective defence efforts should be rewarded, while those falling short could face consequences.

“Model allies that step up, like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others, will receive our special favor," Hegseth had said in December. “Allies that still fail to do their part for collective defense will face consequences."

One European diplomat told POLITICO that the concept of a ranking system appeared consistent with this approach, although specific details remain unclear. Another official noted that the administration has yet to outline concrete measures for either rewards or penalties, adding that some proposed options, such as troop redeployments, could have unintended consequences for the US itself.

The White House had signalled its growing frustration with NATO partners. A spokesperson had said that while the US has consistently supported its allies, some have not reciprocated during the military operations in Iran, referring to “Operation Epic Fury".

“President Trump has made his thoughts on this unfair dynamic clear, and as he said, the United States will remember," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly has said.

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