Pompeo says Trump is 'fully prepared' to take military action against Turkey if necessary, which would shatter NATO to pieces

• Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said President Donald Trump is "fully prepared" to use military forces against Turkey if necessary.
• Pompeo said the administration prefers "peace to war" but that Trump is prepared to respond if military actions are needed.
• This comment came a little over two weeks after Trump's controversial decision to withdraw US troops from northeast Syria, which paved the way for Turkey to invade.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump is "fully prepared" to take military actions against Turkey in Syria if necessary.

"We prefer peace to war," Pompeo told CNBC. "But in the event that kinetic action or military action is needed, you should know that President Trump is fully prepared to undertake that action."

This comment came a little over two weeks after Trump's controversial decision to withdraw US troops from northeast Syria, which paved the way for Turkey to invade.

If the US attacked Turkey, it would have major implications for the historic NATO alliance.

NATO's core principle, Article 5, is that an attack on one member is an attack on all. An attack from one NATO member on another would therefore put the alliance in a paradoxical situation.

NATO did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

This article will continue to be updated.