What Happens if America Turns Its Back on Its Allies in Europe
The Daily
The Shifting Dynamics of American-European Relations
European dependence on America was rooted in shared interests during the Cold War, when the American presence in Europe was beneficial for trade and alliance reasons, maintaining peace on the continent. However, with the end of the Cold War and the Soviet Union's collapse, Europe felt less threatened and reduced military spending, leading to complacency. Despite early signs of Russian aggression, such as the invasions of Georgia and Crimea, there was disbelief that Russia would invade Ukraine. The subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted NATO and the EU to support Ukraine against the aggression, revealing the consequences of reduced military preparedness due to years of peace dividend policies, leaving NATO countries struggling to provide adequate support given their depleted resources.
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