Since the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that NATO allies are“Ineffective” and“Sitting on the sidelines.” From denouncing NATO as a“Paper tiger” to threatening to“Walk away”. Analysts point out that while trump can not simply“Walk away” under US law, NATO is already being tested.
The war in Iraq has become, in the words of the German chancellor, “A stress test for transatlantic relations” and he does not want it to be the“Last straw” for NATO’s relations with the US. U. S. Axios news website reported in 10, said Trump’s words and deeds endanger NATO mutual trust. Mark Weber, a professor of international politics at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, said some European countries were acutely aware that even if the United States remained in NATO, it was“Not credible.”.
Former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO Ivo Daard says trust within the Alliance is eroding and may continue to do so after the end of Trump’s term. On the one hand, some recent polls show that the U. S. Republican party to stay in NATO“Not enthusiastic”, on the other hand, NATO countries have been trying to reduce dependence on the United States.
According to the Associated Press, Trump has repeatedly“Tested” NATO since taking office: he has announced that he would cut off direct U.S. military aid to Ukraine, threatened to seize Greenland from Denmark, another NATO member, … And pressured his NATO allies to increase military spending… … to Trump’s particular irritation, after the outbreak of the Iranian War, Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, but NATO allies“Do not help”, and some NATO members restrict the military to use its airspace or military bases for the war in Iran. Trump said this was a“Lasting legacy”.
Trump held closed-door talks with NATO secretary-general Rutte at the White House on Monday. Rutte said Trump was“Disappointed” with many of his NATO allies. “NATO [ allies ] are not there when we need them. They will be absent when we need them in the future,” Trump wrote on social media after the meeting
As for what Trump can do, under current US law, the withdrawal requires congressional approval. In addition, some U. S. Media reports say the White House is considering withdrawing U. S. troops from some NATO allies that are“Not contributing” to the Iran war. In response, Daalder told Axios news website that the troop and station changes would not only“Burn money”, but would also affect their ability to deal with potential conflicts and would be“Economically and militarily unreasonable”. (lixi Chen)