Europe mulls the prospect of a NATO without the US

Key Points:

• Former US ambassador Ivo Daalder describes NATO as "broken" and in its "worst crisis" due to tensions between Donald Trump and European allies over the Iran war, highlighting a deep mistrust of the US by Europe.
• Trump has repeatedly called NATO a "paper tiger," threatened withdrawal, and questioned the US commitment to collective defense under Article 5, while some European countries have denied US military access related to the Iran conflict.
• Although withdrawal from NATO would be complex and require Senate approval, experts believe Trump could undermine the alliance by reducing US military involvement and support without formally leaving.
• NATO would struggle to maintain credible power without the US but could potentially shift toward greater European leadership and capabilities, requiring significant additional defense spending estimated at around a trillion dollars.
• European leaders remain cautious but emphasize dialogue and cooperation, with some, like Estonia's Foreign Minister, expressing willingness to support the US, while others explore alternative defense arrangements, such as increased nuclear cooperation outside NATO.