The tragedy of “Westalgia”

Key Points:

• European leaders were relieved that US President Donald Trump did not announce major troop withdrawals or leave NATO during last week’s summit in Ankara, despite some erratic behavior and unusual demands.
• The summit focused on pledges to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, a figure largely seen as symbolic and insufficient without deeper discussions on military capabilities.
• The article criticizes European leaders for indulging in "Westalgia," a nostalgic attachment to past security guarantees from the US, which hinders realistic assessments of current geopolitical shifts and European self-reliance.
• Europe’s reliance on US defense funding has led to underinvestment in its own military, industrial base, and energy independence, risking diminished credibility and influence on the global stage.
• The author urges European elites to move beyond nostalgia, critically evaluate their defense needs, and build greater autonomy to earn respect internationally and effectively address future security challenges.