The article argues that the Trump administration is reversing decades of U.S. foreign policy by weakening NATO, siding with Russia on Ukraine, and interfering in European domestic politics to support far-right movements. As a result, the security guarantees that underpinned the transatlantic alliance are now in doubt, forcing Europe to reconsider its dependence on the U.S. The authors outline five strategic imperatives for Europe’s security: increasing military aid to Ukraine, establishing a common European nuclear deterrent, creating a European army, developing a long-term security vision, and forming new alliances beyond the U.S. In the future, China may become a pragmatic partner for Europe as it also finds the U.S.-Russia alignment concerning, though a deep strategic partnership remains unlikely.
After NATO — the way forward After NATO — the way forward
Global instability demands action. Europe’s time to lead has arrived
Emilian Kavalski and Maximilian Mayer write about the growing rift between Europe and the United States, drawing parallels between Winston Churchill’s contradictory views on America and the current strategic dilemmas facing Europe. While publicly advocating for a strong Anglo-American alliance, Churchill privately viewed the U.S. as an unreliable and self-interested partner—an argument that resonates today as the Trump administration actively undermines European security. In response, the authors call for Europe to pursue an independent defense strategy, moving away from reliance on the U.S. and toward a new security architecture.
Emilian Kavalski1, NAWA Chair Professor, Jagiellonian University in Krakow
Profile of Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer2
Links
- https://isad.uj.edu.pl/emilian-kavalski
- https://www.cassis.uni-bonn.de/en/about-us/all-employees/mayer
- https://www.cassis.uni-bonn.de/en/publications/after-nato-the-way-forward/link-to-the-article
- https://www.cassis.uni-bonn.de/en/publications/wahlkampf-im-visier