The global security landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Europe. With the looming return of Donald Trump to the White House, a scenario that seems increasingly plausible, European leaders are being forced to rethink their strategic priorities. Trump’s “America First” approach, characterized by transactional diplomacy and a growing disdain for traditional alliances, has injected both chaos and urgency into the European security debate.

While many perceive Trump’s foreign policy as reckless and destabilizing, others argue that his actions serve as a much-needed wake-up call for Europe. The European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada are now confronting an unavoidable truth: the post-World War II security architecture that relied heavily on American guarantees is eroding. With or without Trump, the US is no longer the steadfast protector of European sovereignty that it once was. In this shifting reality, European nations must decide whether they will rise to the occasion by strengthening their own defenses or remain dangerously reliant on an increasingly unpredictable ally.

A fundamental split is emerging in global security strategy. One camp advocates for the use of brute force to alter borders, expand influence, and consolidate power-a model exemplified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s aggressive posturing in the Indo-Pacific. The other camp remains committed to the principles of national sovereignty, self-defense, and the rule of law, striving to uphold democratic values in an increasingly unstable world.

European leaders find themselves at a critical juncture, forced not only to choose sides but to actively defend the values they espouse. This necessity stems from a harsh reality: inaction and complacency could lead to the loss of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the freedoms that have........

© Blitz