"Europe must prepare for sudden vulnerability gaps if the fickle US president decides to pull out key military enablers before Europeans can develop their own alternatives. European countries have already taken over financial and political responsibility for supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Vladimir Putin's war of aggression, as Trump has increasingly sided with Moscow in trying to force Kyiv to hand over swathes of territory to Russia."
"By branding Nato a paper tiger and European allies cowards for failing to support the US-Israeli war on Iran, Trump has undermined the credibility of the alliance. The announcement of a partial troop withdrawal from Germany as well as threats of further cuts and possible sanctions against European governments that withheld the use of their bases or airspace for Operation Epic Fury are forcing European leaders to think the unthinkable."
"They can no longer be sure of US military backing if, for example, Putin were to stage a limited incursion into a Baltic state, perhaps sending covert forces to seize a Russian-speaking border town, and threaten massive, possibly nuclear retaliation if Nato responded. Such scenarios send shudders down the spines of European defence planners spooked by Trump's unreliability."
European countries are accelerating plans for autonomous defense capabilities due to uncertainty about continued US military commitment under Trump's leadership. Trump's criticism of NATO, threats of troop withdrawals from Germany, and alignment with Russia on Ukraine have prompted European leaders to reconsider security arrangements. Ukraine has become viewed as a strategic asset for European defense rather than a burden. European nations face potential vulnerability gaps if the US withdraws military support before alternatives are developed. Germany has issued its first military strategy since World War II, aiming to become the strongest conventional army in Europe. These developments reflect growing recognition that Europe must prepare for a post-American security future and cannot rely on US backing against potential Russian aggression.
#european-defense-strategy #nato-security #us-military-withdrawal #ukraine-support #russian-aggression
Read at www.theguardian.com
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