Retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) has criticized President Trump's threats against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in an interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl. He argued that the president cannot withdraw from the alliance and that lives would be lost in significant numbers without it. The criticism comes amid increasing tensions over the conflict in the Middle East, with several NATO allies expressing readiness to contribute to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil exports. Tillis also expressed concern over the president's characterization of NATO as "cowards" and suggested that the top 100 generals in the Pentagon might consider severing the relationship.