Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Alliances / NATO’s new chief is inheriting messy wars and a possible second Trump presidency. It’s not going to be easy, security analysts say.
Alliances, NATO, Ukraine

October 1, 2024

NATO’s new chief is inheriting messy wars and a possible second Trump presidency. It’s not going to be easy, security analysts say.

Benjamin Friedman, policy director at the Defense Priorities think tank, said the alliance will likely not play any role as it has enough on its hands with Ukraine.

“They have enough to do in Europe, and I think NATO should focus on Europe,” he told BI.

[…] Even if Trump loses, he could still exert “baleful” influence on US politics and get in the way of policy initiatives through his network of supporters, Giles said, pointing to Republicans blocking aid to Ukraine earlier this year.

Friedman of Defense Priorities struck a more positive tone, saying he doesn’t believe Trump is “seriously” considering withdrawing US commitment to the alliance.

The “big question,” Friedman says, is whether Trump, if elected, would behave like he did during his first term, which he said was “more bark than bite.”

Read at Business Insider

Featuring

Photo of Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

Op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Iran, Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, US‑Israel‑Iran

Is Ukraine peace toast, now that the Middle East is on fire?

By Jennifer Kavanagh

March 9, 2026

Op-edNuclear weapons, Europe and Eurasia, Russia

Russia Is Offering An Informal Nuclear Deal. Washington Should Take It.

By John Grover

February 25, 2026

Op-edNATO, Alliances, Ukraine‑Russia

Europe debates the bomb

By Daniel DePetris

February 19, 2026

Op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine and Russia are both suffering as the war enters its fifth year

By Daniel DePetris

February 10, 2026

Op-edGrand strategy, Iran, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia, US‑Israel‑Iran

What happens when we give Europe first dibs on U.S. missiles for war

By Jennifer Kavanagh

February 9, 2026

Op-edNuclear weapons, Europe and Eurasia, Russia

Welcome to a Global Nuclear Arms Dilemma

By Daniel DePetris

February 6, 2026

Events on Alliances

See All Events
virtualNATO, Alliances, Burden sharing, Europe and Eurasia, Grand strategy

Assessing the 2026 NDS: Will it usher in burden shifting?

February 9, 2026
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Russia

China-Russia: Cooperation or a no-limits alliance?

April 3, 2025
virtualMiddle East, Alliances, Diplomacy, Israel, Military analysis

Assessing a formal U.S.-Saudi alliance

October 17, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.