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Will Europe create a “NATO without Trump”? For Europeans, the moment of truth has arrived, argues a DW columnist.
Following recent statements by President Trump and Foreign Minister Rubio, the US is preparing to either leave the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or at least alter relations within the alliance, writes Konstantin Eggert (@KonstantinEggert). Whether America withdraws from the alliance or not, the political unity of the most successful defense alliance in history has already suffered a serious blow.
“The question of whether NATO can survive without the United States is no longer purely theoretical. It should be answered in advance. My answer is: Yes, it can. Moreover, the alliance will remain transatlantic, as Canada will not leave intentionally. It will continue to be a nuclear alliance, even if the arsenals of Great Britain and France are not comparable to the American one,” our columnist argues.
However, according to Eggert, several conditions must be met to guarantee the defense of European democracies.
🔹 First, their leaders must take unpopular measures, such as cutting social programs.
🔹 Second, the freed-up resources must be quickly invested in modern military technologies and production, which Europe currently lacks.
🔹 Third, they must be prepared to respond forcefully if Putin wants to test the strength of European defenses, for example, by attacking one of the Baltic states.
“Russia respects and fears only strength. If this lesson is well internalized, NATO will survive even without the Americans,” the author concludes.
DW
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