NATO pushes 5 pct defense spending goal as summit opens in The Hague

The Hague, June 24 -- NATO's annual summit opened Tuesday in The Hague under tight security, with leaders of member states expected to approve a proposed defense spending target of 5 percent of GDP.

The two-day gathering comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, following a U.S. airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities. The Dutch government deployed a multi-layered defense system, including F-35 fighter jets and Patriot missile systems, turning the summit venue into a fortified zone.

Ahead of the summit, NATO's 32 member states agreed on a proposed target to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. The target includes 3.5 percent for direct military expenditures and 1.5 percent for related investments, such as infrastructure...