John Brennan: U.S. Is ‘the Critical Component of the NATO Alliance that Will Deter Russia from Moving Further Westward into Europe’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
Sanders: “Sweden first applied to joinnato in may 2022 after Russia first invaded Ukraine. Finland got in just fine. Sweden took a little longer and hungary and Turkey had some issues. They come into the alliance now and I think unbeknownst to me they have a significant military industrial complex. Like the weapons situation is vast and I think that’s something to maybe make folks breathe a little easier given what is currently happening with Russia and Ukraine. What is the next move now?”

BRENNAN: “Well, I think first of all — I think it’s a big strategic step back for Vladimir Putin. Two formidable countries with military capabilities have joined the NATO alliance which brings the Scandinavian countries into the very important alliance that sits on Russia’s northwest border along with Norway. Therefore I think NATO is trying to make sure they are able to work font as closely as together to the countries and I think there are questions among NATO countries about whether or not they can get — rely on the United States over time. Because they see that Donald Trump may, in fact, get back into the White House. And really concerns them. They’ve been increasing their defense spending and I think the Ukraine situation ha really — encouraged them to work more closely together. But I think as you were alluding to, Sweden as military production capabilities in term of components for fighter aircraft and other things so I do think we see some positive developments in the European theater as far as may nee toe cooperation among themselves but we should make no mistake about it. the United States is the core member. The critical component of the