Under President Trump, NATO's relationship with Europe has shifted significantly as he has urged European allies to increase their defense expenditures historically supported by the US. This pressure, combined with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has prompted countries like Germany to rethink their defense strategies and elevate spending. According to Leon Aron, this awakening is crucial as NATO members address long-standing defense deficiencies. Despite this progress, the transition to a more robust European defense posture will take time, as the US reduces military presence in Europe to focus on Asia-Pacific priorities.
Trump woke up Europe, whether he intended or not. The Europeans don't like it, but actually, the end result was, I think, salutary.
If a decade ago, only three European members of NATO spent 2 percent of economic output on defense, the agreed-upon minimum, today only a few don't.
The combination of Trump and Ukraine, I think, moved them to really seriously contemplate the enormous delinquency in their national defenses.
It will take the Europeans years to fill the hole left by the United States. They're definitely awakened, but...
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