Can NATO survive without the United States?

CNN ^ | March 7, 2025 | Brad Lendon

[ransomnote]

SNIP

President Donald Trump’s public animosity towards Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, his willingness to embrace Russia’s Vladimir Putin and recent comments casting doubt over whether he would defend NATO allies “if they don’t pay” have all forced European leaders to start thinking the previously unthinkable - is the US a reliable security partner at a time when the continent is being rocked by its biggest war since the 1940s?

But NATO without the US is far from impotent, with more than a million troops and modern weaponry at its disposal from the 31 other countries in the alliance. It also has the wealth and technological knowhow to defend itself without the US, analysts say.

The US and Germany are the biggest contributors to NATO’s military budget, civil budget and security investment program, at almost 16% each, followed by the UK at 11% and France at 10%, a NATO fact sheet says. Analysts say it wouldn’t take much for Europe to make up for the loss of Washington’s contribution.

If European countries unite and buy the right equipment, Europe “could pose a serious conventional and … nuclear deterrent” to Russia, Ben Schreer, Europe executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said in a Zoom call with CNN and other journalists in late February.

SNIP

Some people in European circles are starting to ask whether Washington should be described “in some ways as an enemy,” he said.

[Bikkuri]

I remember when Spain forbid us to use their airspace to fly into Iraq.

[GingisK]

NATO countries helped us in those two conflicts. Did you not know this?

They also helped us in WWII. All we had to do was supply them with war machines, fuel, food, medical supplies, long range transportation, arms, ammunition, and resupply logistics for all the previously mentioned stuff. Then we had to placate their lousy leaders and do some stupid things their way. Like, Market Garden, for example.

Yeah, they've always been a big help.

[stanne]

Apparently.

[grey_whiskers]

They should change their name to
Pan
European
Defense
Organization

[spincaster]

They should have learnd to take care of themselves. My father was tired of paying and so am I.Americans are just done with their hands out mentality. DOGE is exposing all the thievery.

[metmom]

Let’s find out.

[MikelTackNailer]

Let's find out.

Beat me to it.

[PIF]

Кремлевская табакерка
https://t.me/kremlin_secrets/5387

At the same time, Trump, by the way, can show Europe that it is better not to joke with America. Especially if Russia is America’s ally,” the source said.