Final Word from Tuesday, February 17, 2026

MEP Alexandr Vondra of ODS is recycling arguments from the George W. Bush era in support of U.S. defense interests and is again warning wherever he goes that doing what the Americans want is essential for Nato's future. What Vondra didn't do in 2006-2008 and isn't doing now is to talk out of school by naming specific U.S. officials who put such thoughts in his head. Not so one of his successors as foreign minister, Jan Lipavský (ind./ODS). He told CNN Prima News on Fri. that he met U.S. Amb. Nicholas Merrick at a social event and that Merrick was "very angry about the way this government approaches defense and security." This means by claiming that the 5% Nato target is the Fiala cabinet's commitment and not its own. MP Radek Vondráček of ANO, who heads the House foreign committee, sharply objected, saying that Lipavský is lying about the U.S. position and that he also met with Merrick. In California last month, Merrick said that part of his job is to be an "accountability partner" who helps Czechs keep their promises. Either he's been telling them what they want to hear, or some of them haven't heard what he's been telling them. [ Czech Republic United States speak missile defense radar ]