Cold Winds Blow Over NATO from Washington
What is Europe? It is a land where language, culture, and religion change every two hundred miles. The Romans tried to unify it but failed. Charlemagne attempted the same, with no lasting success. For centuries, Europe was a battlefield of internal religious and monarchy conflicts until colonialism redirected its focus outward. From the 16/17th century onward, European powers expanded their reach, amassing wealth through superior military technology in Asia, Africa & Americas. Yet, even amid prosperity, their tradition of warfare continued, culminating in the devastation of the 19th and 20th centuries. The two World Wars were the ultimate proof that Europe could not keep peace on its own.
The force that finally ended these cycles of war was United States of America, a distant yet kindred power. The U.S. imposed stability, ensuring 75 years of relative peace from 1945 till now. Europe flourished under this protection, evolving into a commercial powerhouse with a common market. America also created NATO, guaranteeing security and keeping external threats at bay. But one European giant, the Soviet Union posed an existential challenge. Only America’s presence kept the smaller European nations safe and prosperous.
This protection, however, came at a steep cost. In 2023 alone, the U.S. spent a significant portion of its defence budget of about $850 billion on Europe’s security, while Europe enjoyed a $300 billion trade surplus with America. This imbalance did not go unnoticed. A new political leadership in Washington questioned the wisdom of such spending, urging Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security and to reduce its trade advantage over the U.S. European leaders, accustomed to minimal defence spending and economic benefits, were not pleased.
And so, a cold wind from Washington now sweeps over Europe. The U.S. intends to end the latest Ukraine war and impose a truce, but the broader message is clear: Europe must stand on its own. Taken by surprise, European nations must now reassess their security and economic strategies. Yet, they are no longer weak. Europe has the strength and wisdom to forge its own future without American help.