Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Israel-Hamas
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • North Korea
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • 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 / Europe’s best defense is self-defense
NATO, Europe and Eurasia

April 8, 2025

Europe’s best defense is self-defense

By Jennifer Kavanagh

In 1951, Dwight Eisenhower, as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s first Supreme Allied Commander Europe, gave his colleagues a warning. “If, in 10 years, all American troops stationed in Europe for national defense purposes have not been returned to the United States, then this whole project will have failed,” he said of the U.S. effort to build a new trans-Atlantic security architecture. Almost 75 years later, Eisenhower would be disappointed.

Today, Europe is still reliant on the U.S. forces stationed across the continent and in the United Kingdom, but President Donald Trump and his advisers appear ready to break with this status quo.

Europe should welcome, not fear, U.S. retrenchment. Not only will an independent defense end Europe’s abdication of its geopolitical autonomy, but it will leave Europe more secure.

Read at MSNBC

Author

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

More on Europe

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Analysis: Putin in negotiations with U.S. presidents over the years

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

May 27, 2025

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

Trump should not demand a ceasefire in Putin call

By Jennifer Kavanagh

May 19, 2025

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

Don’t Blame Trump If He Gives Up on Russia-Ukraine

By Daniel DePetris

May 17, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Russia, Ukraine

It’s time for America to walk away completely from Ukraine–Russia

By Anthony Constantini

May 16, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Russia, Ukraine

Daniel Davis on NewsNation discusses the roadblocks in Ukraine-Russia peace talks

Featuring Daniel Davis

May 15, 2025

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

Ukraine War: Why Demanding Putin’s Unconditional Ceasefire is a Mistake

By Daniel Davis

May 12, 2025

Events on NATO

See All Events
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Past Virtual Event: A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

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

Past Virtual Event: New York for Paris? NATO and extended deterrence in a new nuclear age

July 2, 2024
virtualNATO, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Reexamining the U.S. role in European security

May 3, 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.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved