PNN – James Stavridis, former Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), believes that now is the time to assess the possibility of the alliance’s continued existence without American participation.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network from TASS, Stavridis pointed out that the influence of isolationist forces in the Republican Party, who also favor the country’s withdrawal from NATO, is currently increasing in the United States, and stated that it is time to examine what the world would look like geopolitically if Washington left the alliance.
He added: Doubts have also grown in Europe about whether Washington will fulfill its commitments to NATO in the event of a conflict.
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The former NATO commander stressed that NATO would collapse if Washington, under pressure from isolationist groups, withdrew its troops from Europe or stopped funding the alliance.
Stavridis predicted that if the United States leaves NATO, a European treaty organization may be formed in its place, and Canada may also join it. In this case, Europe will increase its defense spending, especially on the development of the air force, and the nuclear capabilities and potential of France and the United Kingdom will also increase. Europe’s support for Ukraine will increase, and in fact, the foreign policy of the Green Continent will be separated from Washington’s interests.
He acknowledged that, on the other hand, in this situation, Europe, as a result of the confrontation between the United States and China, could increase its cooperation with Beijing and join the Chinese “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
The American admiral clarified that in the meantime, the Europeans may also reduce their pressure on Iran.
Stavridis concluded by noting that NATO remains a valuable asset for Washington, and if the White House intends to implement its plans to confront China and maintain leadership in international affairs, it needs the Europeans.