International security

Trump: Supporting tiny NATO ally Montenegro could start WWIII

President Donald Trump cast new doubt on his willingness to come to the defense of NATO allies Tuesday when he said a small member state could provoke a conflict that could start “World War III.”

Trump, during an interview on a Fox News talk show Tuesday, was asked by host Tucker Carlson why his son should come to the defense of tiny Montenegro, NATO’s newest member.

“I understand what you are saying,” Trump said. “I’ve asked the same question.”

.."Montenegro is a tiny country with very strong people,” Trump said. “They are very aggressive people. They may get aggressive and congratulations you are in World War III.”

Despite its diminutive size — slightly smaller than Connecticut and with just 630,000 people — Montenegro has a long martial tradition, having fought off the Ottoman Empire during its 400-year rule of the Balkans and having participated in both world wars on the winning side.