Retired General Jack Keane expressed his concerns regarding NATO's response to the shipping crisis in the Strait of Hormuz during a recent appearance on "Hannity." He criticized NATO allies for their historical reluctance to support U.S. military initiatives, asserting that European nations had significantly reduced their defense budgets over decades in favor of funding social programs. Keane argues that these financial decisions have weakened NATO and made Europe more vulnerable to threats, such as those posed by Russia.

Keane elaborated on how these budget cuts have affected security in Europe, specifically mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculations of Western weakness. He stated that Putin perceives vulnerabilities in American leadership and the lack of a united European response. This environment, according to Keane, has emboldened Putin to take aggressive actions, such as the invasion of Ukraine, effectively taking advantage of NATO's diminishing capabilities.

In light of recent military developments involving the U.S. and Iran, particularly concerning bunker-buster bombs targeting Iranian missile sites, Keane called for a reassessment of NATO's role and resources. He highlighted that the current geopolitical tensions necessitate a strong and coordinated military alliance, suggesting that recent events might serve as a wake-up call for European nations to bolster their defense strategies and collaborate more effectively with the U.S. and NATO allies to confront emerging global threats.