Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
President Joe Biden, the octogenarian Commander-in-Chief, is stumbling his way into another NATO summit, and the whole world is watching, mostly in horror.
European leaders are sweating bullets, and it’s not because of a heatwave.
They’re terrified that come November, Donald Trump might strut back into the Oval Office, waving his NATO withdrawal threats like a red flag.
Let’s face it: Biden’s reelection chances are slimmer than his approval ratings.
Even before his disastrous debate performance where he practically begged Trump to clarify his NATO stance only to receive a dismissive shrug
European governments were huddling in dark rooms, plotting how to keep NATO intact if the U.S. decides to bail.
It’s not just the U.S. they’re worried about; far-right forces in Europe, like Marine Le Pen’s party in France, are gaining ground faster than Biden’s losing cognitive function.
Trump-Proofing NATO: A Fantastical Notion?
The bigwigs in Brussels are busy with a new buzzword:
“Trump-proofing.”
It sounds like a bad infomercial product, but it’s their desperate strategy to keep NATO alive should Trump return.
Trump’s disdain for NATO is no secret he’s been griping about the U.S. footing too much of the bill while our European “allies” sit back and enjoy the ride.
This NATO summit, intended as a celebration of the alliance’s 75th anniversary, now feels more like a wake.
European officials, speaking anonymously (because who wants their name attached to this mess?), describe the mood as “gloomy.” Can you blame them?
The Trump Card
Trump’s former national security adviser, John Bolton, says Trump would push to get the U.S. out of NATO if he wins.
Congress has made it harder, but Trump doesn’t play by the rules.
He could simply stop collaborating with NATO missions, effectively kneecapping the alliance.
And with Biden looking more like a placeholder than a powerhouse, the U.S. commitment to NATO is on shaky ground.
European Response: A Laughable Attempt?
Europeans are talking big about institutionalizing support for Ukraine within NATO, upping defense spending, and even taking on a bigger role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence.
But experts like John Deni from the Atlantic Council call this “fantasy.”
Europe’s military budgets and economies can’t match the U.S. They’re like kids playing dress-up in their dad’s suits, hoping no one notices the difference.
A Grim Outlook
So, where does that leave us? NATO is at a crossroads, with Biden’s shaky leadership and the looming threat of Trump’s return casting long shadows.
European leaders are scrambling to prepare for the worst, but their efforts might be too little, too late. The notion of “Trump-proofing” NATO is laughable.
As we watch this slow-motion train wreck, one thing’s clear—NATO’s future is anything but secure.
So, buckle up, folks. The next few years are going to be a wild ride.
