Victor Davis Hanson, in a video for "The Daily Signal," discussed the state of NATO and proposed an approach for the U. S. to reduce its involvement in the alliance. He suggested letting NATO "die on the vine" by matching the commitment of Canada, while also forming bilateral agreements with European countries that align with U. S. interests.
1. Critique of NATO's Current State: Hanson views NATO as consistently facing crises and suggests that despite the significant GDP of European nations, they lack the willingness to invest in their own defense. He emphasizes the contradictions in their reliance on U. S. military support while not contributing adequately themselves.
2. U. S. Military Efforts: Hanson highlighted America’s military actions, notably against Iran, and expressed frustration over NATO allies’ reluctance to support U. S. operations or allow U. S. forces to utilize bases in their countries.
3. European Defense Weakness: He elaborated on the structural weaknesses of Europe, including its declining population, lack of substantial military capability, and reliance on expensive energy sources. These issues contribute to Europe’s inability to defend itself adequately.
4. Moral Posturing: Hanson criticized Europe’s attitude of moral superiority while depending on U. S. military might. He believes this stance results in Europe avoiding responsibility for its own defense needs.
5. Future of NATO: Rather than exiting NATO, Hanson proposes that the U. S. should decrease its commitments, effectively letting NATO diminish in importance. He advocates for the creation of new, more effective bilateral alliances with European nations based on shared interests.
6. Bilateral Agreements: He suggests that instead of relying on NATO, the U. S. could form partnerships with select European countries. This would involve offering support in exchange for mutual security agreements rather than operating under the current NATO framework.
Hanson concludes that the U. S. should adopt a stance similar to Canada within NATO, providing minimal efforts while securing its own interests through new alliances. He believes that this approach would allow the U. S. to step back from burdensome commitments while still maintaining important international relationships. Ultimately, he envisions a NATO that operates primarily as a symbolic organization rather than a functioning military alliance.
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