Today Online reports that “Britain’s defense secretary on Wednesday sought to dispel U.S. concerns about cuts in his country’s defenses, saying it was maintaining and developing a credible capability and urging fellow European NATO members to step up their forces.”  

“‘Let me assure you the United Kingdom, like the United States, has no intention of lowering its guard,’ Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said in a speech before meeting new U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.”  

“Last week U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno caused a stir in London when he questioned Britain’s plans and urged London to maintain spending at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s agreed level of 2 percent of national output into the future.”