The Donald Trump administration is reportedly developing a tiered system to categorize NATO member countries based on their defense contributions and broader cooperation.
According to a Politico report, the system, dubbed the 'naughty and nice list,' aims to punish allies who did not support the US in its war with Iran.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hinted at who could be on the 'nice list,' citing countries like Israel, South Korea, Poland, and Germany as model allies.
The reported framework could benefit countries like Poland and Romania, which have supported US military operations and increased defense spending.
However, it is unclear what specific incentives or penalties may be applied, with options reportedly including adjustments in troop deployments, joint military exercises, and defense sales.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly defended the administration's stance, saying that countries protected by the US have not been there for them throughout the Iran war.
