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 / NATO / Trump roils NATO as pressure builds over Strait of Hormuz
NATO, Alliances, Iran, Middle East, US‑Israel‑Iran

April 5, 2026

Trump roils NATO as pressure builds over Strait of Hormuz

“Trump can erode NATO’s relevance,” Jennifer Kavanagh, a senior fellow and director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, told The Hill. “Stop sending people to NATO meetings, slowly pull institutional people out of NATO, remove some enabling capabilities, stop communicating with allies. … It can basically make NATO practically irrelevant, even if it still exists.”

And even as Trump has voiced an unhappiness with the lack of support he’s getting from Europe in Iran, he still is relying on the continent’s airspace and bases to fight the war, Kavanagh said.

“He is still entangled in NATO and has to limit how far he pulls back so long as he continues to need those bases to fight,” she said.

Read at The Hill

Featuring

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Israel‑Iran, Middle East

Can U.S. blockade Iranian-linked ships anywhere in the world? Yes, but …

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

April 19, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

Trump, Iran clash over Hormuz closure as deal deadline nears

Featuring Daniel Davis

April 19, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

Defense Priorities’ Jennifer Kavanagh discusses the Iran War and the latest on the Strait of Hormuz

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

April 18, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

The Strait of Hormuz is open. Here’s what to watch next.

By Daniel DePetris

April 17, 2026

Op-edUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

America Must Get Out of the Middle East for Good

By Adam Gallagher

April 17, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Iran, Middle East

Strait of Hormuz blockade hurts Iran’s economy, threatens to spike energy prices

April 17, 2026

Events on NATO

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
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Deterrence, Europe and Eurasia, Nuclear weapons

New York for Paris? NATO and extended deterrence in a new nuclear age

July 2, 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.