The variants of the Lockheed Martin-made F-35 are the only fifth-generation fighter aircraft available to Western militaries.

The NATO secretary-general said that China could spark World War III by seeking to take control of Taiwan while making sure that the Kremlin would simultaneously launch an attack against NATO territory.

NATO countries agree to the target of spending 5 percent of GDP on defense after dragging their feet to hit 2 percent.

Germany has accused the Chinese military of disrupting a reconnaissance aircraft over the Red Sea during an operation.

Trump, however, has long been a NATO skeptic. He has excoriated NATO as a financial drain on the United States, and it was reported that several times during his first term he even privately threatened to withdraw from it.

NATO promised to use members' soaring defense budgets for a fivefold increase in air defenses. But there are problems beyond spending to fix.

Beijing has declared Taiwan as an "inalienable" part of China, whereas Taipei has long asserted its independence.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker urged Iran to seek peace with the U.S. and Israel as official nationwide remain on high alert for domestic terror activity through sleeper cells.