When NATO leaders meet in Ankara, Turkey, this week, the primary focus will be on following through on 2025 commitments to increase defense spending significantly across the alliance. As last month’s record temperatures across Europe have shown, however, the territory NATO defends is now far trickier ground. NATO members must make investments that protect the food, water, transportation, energy, and health systems in the societies in which militaries operate. Europe is sweltering, and its soldiers are no exception. France experienced its hottest day on record, 44.3 degrees Celsius, and at least 40 people drowned trying to escape the heat, while trains and nuclear plants shut down due to the temperature. Spain, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom all broke June records. When NATO leaders