Research Analyst Connor Murray and Scoville Fellow Marlena Broeker wrote an op-ed in Just Security about the negative consequences of the United States backing away from NATO and a French-led nuclear deterrent.
The Trump administration has consistently shown disregard for America’s European allies, whether it be in the Oval Office or at the Munich Security Conference. The administration’s actions have led France, and other U.S. allies, to push for a European-led nuclear deterrent. Regardless of any debate over U.S. reliability, a European deterrent is economically, technically and politically inadvisable.
Whether the United States actually seeks to distance itself from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance, as some have suggested, or is trying to bully allies into increasing their self-reliance for defense, misses the point — Europe already thinks it is in a position that requires it to seek new options for strategic security. Read more
