Baltics, not the Balkans...
The Baltics does have a strategic position as they can deny Russia entry into the Atlantic from the Baltic Sea.
Though they should pay up, and one of of them do - Estonia has the 4th highest defence budget in Nato measured against GDP.
Luxembourg -- .5%
Spain --.9%
Hungary -- .9%
Belgium -- .9% (and NATO Hdqtrs is in Brussels contributing millions to the local economy)
Canada --1%
Slovenia -- 1%
Slovak Republic -- 1%
Latvia -- 1%
Italy -- 1%
Some other large countries:
Germany --1.2%
Turkey -- 1.7%
France -- 1.8%.
How long must Uncle Sap provide the security umbrella for Europe and Canada while most of the countries are spending less and less on their own security? The US is the biggest debtor nation in the world. We have a $19.4 trillion dollar debt and are running a $600 billion deficit this year.