U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has reaffirmed the United States' commitment to NATO ahead of his first meeting with his alliance counterparts. At NATO headquarters in Brussels on February 15, Mattis said the alliance "remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community." NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the comments during what he called "a crucial time" for the alliance. (RFE/RL)