Is NATO relevant? Carter refuses to answer

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has refused to say whether NATO is relevant, saying that commenting on the matter is tied up in presidential politics.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., asked Carter the question during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, noting that Brussels is the home of NATO and the alliance plays a major role in the United States' strategy to protect Europe from Russia and fight the Islamic State in the Middle East. He cited comments from GOP front-runner Donald Trump, who raised the issue of the alliance's relevance this week.

Trump told the Washington Post that "NATO was set up at a different time," and "I think NATO as a concept is good, but it is not as good as it was when it first evolved." He also said NATO is a high expense for the U.S.

"NATO is absolutely at the center of our military strategy and operations," Courtney said to Carter. "Is NATO relevant today? I guess we need to ask that question."

Carter demurred, citing the political angle of the question.