LAST week in Wales NATO leaders appeared to have woken up to the fact that spending on defence was risible.
The agreed minimum is two per cent of GDP, but few of the 28 members have met that commitment since the end of the Cold War.
Contrastingly, the United States’s share of this important responsibility is a staggering 70 per cent.
Of course, America is far wealthier than we are and is, in effect, democracy’s policeman.
But other members must take their responsibilities seriously.
Former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates predicted a “dim and dismal future” for NATO if they didn’t.
So it was reassuring to hear NATO members agree to meet their two per cent commitment within a decade, but why that long?
The world is faced with conflict in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Gaza and the Lebanon and, while none are in NATO, they could endanger our security in the longer term.
All this when actual members, like the Baltic States, are watching their giant, Soviet neighbour nervously.
They should feel protected, for NATO members are bound by a mutual defence pact: all for one and one for all.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement this week to commission the second aircraft carrier and our commitment of a thousand troops to a new NATO multi-national rapid reaction force, based in eastern Europe.
Mr Cameron added that there are also new military vehicles, planes and ships in the pipeline.
This is also welcome news.
History teaches us that defending freedom does not come cheap.
But, if we are not prepared to fight for it, ultimately, what do we stand for?
When NATO members meet next for the 27th time, I sincerely hope their words delivered in Wales have been actioned.