Why it matters: NATO has two new members and a resurgent sense of mission after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But with Donald Trump waiting in the wings, the alliance could be on course for another existential crisis at a much more dangerous time for Europe.
Driving the news: At this week’s gathering in Brussels, NATO foreign ministers are expected to discuss a plan to Trump-proof military aid to Ukraine.
The proposal would put a U.S.-led organization overseeing weapons shipments to Ukraine under NATO control to ensure continuity if Trump takes office in January.
“Talking about Trump coming in is, in fact, talking about Biden losing.
He’s said the former president was right to pressure Europe on defense spending, and told the Munich Security Conference: “Stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump.”
Even if Trump doesn’t bring that number down to 31, Daalder says, Biden is likely “the last real Atlanticist president.”
The bottom line: “The United States left Europe after the First World War.
On Thursday, the 75th anniversary of NATO is being celebrated, and top diplomats from its member states will be discussing the threat from both Moscow and the prospective next president of the United States.
Why it matters: In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO has two new members and a renewed sense of purpose. It is possible that the alliance will face another existential crisis at a time when Europe is facing greater danger, especially with Donald Trump lurking in the wings.
Driven by news: NATO foreign ministers are anticipated to deliberate on a strategy to thwart Trump’s military assistance to Ukraine during this week’s meeting in Brussels.
The plan would position a U. S. overseeing the transfer of weaponry to Ukraine under NATO command, in order to guarantee its continuation in the event that Trump assumes office in January.
Additionally, the alliance is currently debating how to guarantee that European armies are capable of fulfilling certain duties that would presently be assigned to the U.S. s. , claims former U.S. official Ivo Daalder. S. representative to NATO.
According to Daalder, these discussions frequently happen without bringing up the elephant in the room. It is actually talking about Biden’s defeat when one speaks of Trump’s victory. Therefore, the focus is more on “Europe needs to do more.”. ‘”.
The other side: In February, Trump made a remark that, in light of NATO ally underfunding, he would “encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want.” This was by far the most provocative of his long history of remarks that undermine alliances.
He declared last month that if other members of the alliance paid their “fair share,” he would remain a member, but he also stated that the U. S. would be unaffected by NATO since “we have an ocean separating [us from] some problems.”. “.
Under the surface: Although Trump frequently refers to NATO members as owing “dues,” the U.S. s. accounts for two-thirds of all defense spending among participating nations, supporting his accusation that participating nations are abusing the power of the US military.
Situation: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has been announcing that a record number of allies will spend 2 percent of GDP on defense this year, as per the alliance’s goal.
In October, Stoltenberg’s ten-year term comes to an end. One of his greatest achievements to date is holding back Trump’s challenge to the alliance.
Recently, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte—who is the clear favorite to succeed him—has begun making remarks that are favorable to Trump. “Stop moaning and whining and nagging about Trump,” he said at the Munich Security Conference, adding that the former president was right to put pressure on Europe over defense spending. “.
Though the charming Dutchman appears to have won over Trump in their prior meetings, he also has Biden’s support.
In 1949, NATO was founded by twelve countries. This week’s ministerial is the first with 32 representatives since Sweden joined.
According to Daalder, Biden is probably “the last real Atlanticist president,” even if Trump is unable to lower that figure to thirty-one. ****.
He claims that even if Trump is not elected, “Europe is coming to the deeper realization that they need to start thinking about how you make the European pillar within NATO bigger, stronger, more capable, for a time when the United States is less interested.”.
In summary, “The United States departed from Europe following World War I. Not a great success, that. Therefore, at a ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary on Wednesday evening, Stoltenberg said, “I’m happy that the United States decided to stay after the Second World War.”.
