They're still not even close to 5%.
The US doesnt treat any of its puppets particularly well. America treats its European allies a bit like Moscow treats its Belarussian ally. With the new administration that is becoming clearer than ever.
The US doesnt treat any of its puppets particularly well. America treats its European allies a bit like Moscow treats its Belarussian ally. With the new administration that is becoming clearer than ever.
While the US can exert a lot of influence, Poland (and others) are not puppet states-- there is no direct US control over government/elections, no dependence on the US for those governments and no US control over polish law.
Being a weaker member of an alliance does not make you a puppet.
Meanwhile Italy is allowed to buy chips with 1.5% defense spending.
It doesn't make sense to think that defense spending is the criterion used to select the countries.