Czechia bets on 1.8% core defense spending, testing NATO unity

Czechia’s new government proposes cutting core military spending to 1.8% of GDP in 2026 (2.1% total with 0.34% funded from other ministries) to free funds for health and social programs, a move that could strain NATO unity and U.S. patience even as Prague pledges it will still meet the alliance’s goal of reaching 2% of GDP and, ultimately, the 2035 plan for 5% defense spending, albeit through accounting tricks and delayed procurements.