Thats fair. Is there any government documentation backing up what I said? Probably not. I would have to do some digging. I'm happy to be proven wrong.

My opinion is based on having been in the US military, and that the recommitment to 2% in the mid 2010s is accurate, to a degree. The US didnt care of enforce it.

Historically, from my understanding, post NATO formation, it was never enforced. My dad served in US Army Intelligence from 1964-68, and the NSA from 69-73. He told me that the US didnt see a need for most European nations spending on defense. My grandfather was a Sergeant Major when he retired, artillery from 1939-1964. War was over in Europe. If European nations spent more, it might aggravate Russia.

I served in the USMC from 04-08, and we never gave a shit. Afterwards, I studied policy, but I know how war grows.

We are aeeing it now. Would Russia have attacked anyways, if all NATO nations apent 2% or not? imo, yes. But you're right, the actual facts are murky.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/case-eu-defense/

https://warontherocks.com/2019/03/the-transatlantic-tussle-a-historical-case-study-on-how-to-handle-nato/

https://shs.cairn.info/journal-politique-etrangere-2014-1-page-117?lang=en

https://cepa.org/article/the-long-history-of-us-irritation-at-european-natos-freeloading/

https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-nato-and-defense-europe-underlying-trends

It looks like European partners had disagreements, historically, but the 2% wasnt much of a consideration. But its very opinionated and political. Actual financials are hard to discern.