Who are we as a nation? Does the United States of America truly stand as a defender of freedom and democracy for the world? Or are we cowards whose apathy and disinterest would allow for the wholesale destruction of entire countries and the slaughter of innocent lives. When the former president and current leader of the Republican party claims that he would “encourage” Russia to attack a NATO ally, it sends a signal to the entire world that America can no longer be trusted to keep its word. His comments are not a “joke” and not something to “just get over.” America’s credibility is essential to our prosperity. Our economic dominance, our international soft power, and even our massive military are ultimately meaningless if we lose our credibility. It’s insane that we have to ask this question, but here it goes: why should we defend our allies?
From a purely practical standpoint, defending American allies makes really good business sense. As I’ve pointed out so, many, times, on this site, that there are immeasurable financial and economic benefits to maintaining America’s geopolitical position. In Minnesota alone, one fifth of all jobs are directly dependent on international trade and global finance. Across the country, many thousands of companies have offices, manufacturing plants, and research labs in countries around the world (especially in NATO countries). It should be obvious that a major war throughout Europe would be bad for those companies and would likely plunge the world into another Great Depression.
But if that isn’t enough, consider the sacrifices our NATO allies make every single day. NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense commitment has only been invoked one time in its history, and that was by the United States. After the 9-11 attacks, NATO allies answered the call and rallied to the defense of America, providing support, weapons, and even sacrificing the lives of their own soldiers because they understood the meaning of this commitment. To turn our backs on those who have sacrificed for us now would be an affront to those serving in our own military who have fought and died alongside our allies.
But even worse, to turn our backs on NATO and our European allies now would betray everything that our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents stood for when they liberated Europe from the Nazis and blocked Soviet advances in the Second World War. That so many of the same people who idolize the “Greatest Generation” would show such utter contempt for the true meaning of that sacrifice is confusing to say the least.
Now, all of this doesn’t mean that we should avoid hard conversations with Europe and NATO about their defense. As the previous administration showed (and continues to threaten), Europe must be prepared to collectively defend itself regardless of whether or not the United States is ready to back them up. Most NATO allies are now on track to spend the recommended 2% of GDP on defense and countries like Poland and Germany are finally getting serious about shoring up their own defense. But more needs to be done to ensure that countries like Russia understand that starting a war would not end well.
The former president has it all wrong when he speaks of NATO “protection.” NATO is not a mob-boss style protection racket that is used to shake down countries for money. It’s a security alliance that has helped ensure the prosperity of Europe and much of the rest of the world for over seven decades. Such foolhardy wavering on the NATO alliance projects weakness to America’s adversaries. If they perceive America to be weak, then this will almost certainly invite continued aggression. All this talk about inviting further Russian invasions of Europe is not deranged hyperbole, it’s a clear understanding of the way deterrence works in international security. Our credibility is all we really have in this world. Without it, we lose what it means to be America. So remember this November who we are as a nation. Remember what we stand for. Russia certainly will.