LONDON — In the 12 short years since Montenegro regained its independence, the European country has joined NATO, boosted its defense spending, and according to official figures contributes more troops per capita to the war in Afghanistan than the United States.
Yet this U.S. ally — smaller than Connecticut and about as populous as Baltimore — found itself in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs late Tuesday as he once again criticized NATO.
The president suggested he would be unhappy defending “tiny” Montenegro if it were attacked, calling into question NATO’s central principle of mutual defense.
He also questioned whether the…