Strengthen NATO, Don’t Wreck It

Many on the right have joined President Donald Trump’s heated ridicule of the behavior of our European allies during Operation Epic Fury: their risk aversion, penchant for process over decision and action, and overall lack of preparedness and capability to confront the Iranian terror threat, while simultaneously criticizing the one ally with the will and capability to do so. The transatlantic alliance has in fact been unhealthy for some time, dating back to before the Obama administration conspired with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to reset relations with Russia and pursued policies, including the Paris Climate Accords, that weakened the West to the advantage of China. But there is much more to the story, and today both sides of the Atlantic should grapple with some hard truths and work to end the feuding. The United States needs NATO allies and is the indispensable leader of the alliance for the foreseeable future.

“I am not currently recommending any additional changes to our posture in Europe.” That was the congressional testimony of General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the U.S. European Command and the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, on March 18. Roughly six weeks later, the Department of Defense announced that it would withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany. The announcement followed President Trump’s Truth Social post suggesting that he was considering withdrawing troops after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed that Iran was “humiliating” the United States.

About the Author

Rebeccah Heinrichs

Rebeccah Heinrichs is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the director of Hudson’s Keystone Defense Initiative.

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Many on the right have joined President Donald Trump’s heated ridicule of the behavior of our European allies during Operation Epic Fury: their risk aversion, penchant for process over decision and action, and overall lack of preparedness and capability to confront the Iranian terror threat, while simultaneously criticizing the one ally with the will and capability to do so. The transatlantic alliance has in fact been unhealthy for some time, dating back to before the Obama administration conspired with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to reset relations with Russia and pursued policies, including the Paris Climate Accords, that weakened the West to the advantage of China. But there is much more to the story, and today both sides of the Atlantic should grapple with some hard truths and work to end the feuding. The United States needs NATO allies and is the indispensable leader of the alliance for the foreseeable future.

“I am not currently recommending any additional changes to our posture in Europe.” That was the congressional testimony of General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the U.S. European Command and the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, on March 18. Roughly six weeks later, the Department of Defense announced that it would withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany. The announcement followed President Trump’s Truth Social post suggesting that he was considering withdrawing troops after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed that Iran was “humiliating” the United States.