Backlash From Europe

Veterans and senior officials across Europe pushed back sharply on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested NATO allies had avoided front line combat during the war in Afghanistan, saying hundreds of European troops died fighting alongside American forces.

The backlash followed comments Trump made in a Fox News interview, where he said the United States had “never needed” NATO and accused allied nations of staying “a little off the front lines” during the two decade long conflict.

The remarks struck a nerve among former soldiers and political leaders in countries that contributed troops after NATO invoked its collective defense …