West STL News

Congresswoman Ann Wagner of Missouri has been reappointed to the United States Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. In a statement, Wagner addressed current global challenges and emphasized the need for increased defense spending by European partners.

Wagner expressed concerns about geopolitical tensions involving China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. She stated, "Our world is in a state of chaos right now with China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea seeking to undermine American superiority and push their dangerous ideologies on innocent populations around the globe." Wagner stressed that these challenges should not be borne solely by the United States. She urged European allies to meet and exceed their 2% GDP defense spending target as part of efforts to counter what she described as a "new Axis of Evil."

Wagner further highlighted areas where she believes NATO should focus its efforts: "Our enemies are working together to make every corner of the world less safe—whether it’s Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the South China Sea, or the Arctic." She called for NATO's involvement in regions like the Indo-Pacific to protect shared interests from threats posed by China.

In her role within the U.S. delegation to NATO's Parliamentary Assembly, Wagner aims to collaborate with international counterparts. Her goal is ensuring that NATO remains an effective peacekeeping force capable of deterring adversaries intent on spreading conflict.