After two decades of watching the American share of the NATObudget grow from 50 to 75 percent, the alliance’s leadership is determined to learn how to operate without the usual American help, even as nationalist movements roil the capitals of the transAtlantic alliance and Vladimir Putin hacks his way through democratic elections.
Meeting with a handful of reporters in Washington on Wednesday as he prepares for retirement in June, the alliance’s Gen. Petr Pavel said Europe needs to rethink how it readies itself for an uncertain future. “Europe needs to mature and grow up and be more responsible for its own defense,” the Czech general said, adding that it’s time European countries “provide all the capabilities to handle a regional crisis without American engagement, if the United States does not wish to engage.” Läs artikel