Why the US Should Not Withdraw from NATO
ED: This from my inbox – Thanks to Luke Washman
I understand why some argue for the United States to withdraw from NATO, but I believe it would be a serious mistake. The lack of strong defence capabilities in the European Union is no accident. After World War II, the United States emerged as the dominant global power, and it was in its best interest to maintain that influence. With Europe devastated and focused on reconstruction, the US stepped in to fill the security gap. Over time, this has led to the EU becoming overly dependent on American military power, a situation that may not actually be to Europe’s long-term benefit.
One of the greatest challenges to US dominance in the region is the potential for the EU to become both militarily and economically independent. Whether this outcome was intentional from the beginning is uncertain, but it has certainly evolved into a strategic advantage for the United States. The US has a vested interest in keeping the EU reliant on its military protection and weapons sales, ensuring continued influence.
A good example of this dynamic is South Korea. From 1979 until 2020-2021, the US imposed strict limits on South Korea’s missile capabilities, capping their payload and range. The range restrictions were gradually relaxed, increasing from 300 kilometres in 2001 to 800 kilometres in later years. While one justification for these limits was preventing regional tensions from escalating, another factor was the United States’ control over military capabilities in the region. If the US didn’t want South Korea to have certain weapons, why sell them in the first place? This mirrors the situation in Europe, where the US ensures that its allies remain dependent on American military support.
If the US were to withdraw from NATO and allow the EU to become more militarily and economically independent, American influence in the region would almost certainly decline over the next decade or two. The longstanding security “subsidy” that the US has provided to Europe may not be an act of generosity, but rather a strategic move to maintain its global dominance. Walking away from NATO could mean sacrificing that leverage, which would have profound consequences for America’s role in the world.
