Ex-Pentagon official urges US to ‘squeeze’ UK on defense amid Falklands furor

Morgan Murphy, a former press secretary in the U.S. War Department, told Fox News that Washington’s position on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands remains unchanged and neutral. However, he suggested that the Trump administration may apply significant diplomatic leverage to pressure London into increasing its military budget. Criticizing Britain's approach to NATO commitments, Murphy stated, "Friends tell friends the check is due." This comes amid reports from The Financial Times that the British government may drop its target of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030. Murphy argued that Britain must adhere to its NATO pledges, framing the pressure on London as a tool for national security rather than abandonment. Meanwhile, a U.K. government spokesperson emphasized that Britain is NATO's third-largest cash spender on defense and plays a central role in strengthening collective defense across Europe.