Do Not Forget: Europe Remains Critical For Our Defense And Indeed For Securing The Free World

Key Concepts

• Strategic Isolationism: A foreign policy approach characterized by withdrawing from international alliances and commitments, compared here to the 1930s.
• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): A collective defense alliance viewed as the cornerstone of Western security and a deterrent against Russian expansionism.
• Rotational Brigade: A military unit deployed temporarily to a region to maintain presence and readiness without permanent basing.
• Frontline States: Countries (like Poland) that share borders with or are in close proximity to aggressive powers (Russia), serving as the first line of defense.
• Defense Spending Outlays: The financial commitment of a nation to its military, often measured as a percentage of GDP.

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The Strategic Importance of Europe

Steve Forbes argues that Europe remains indispensable to U.S. national security and the stability of the "free world." He posits that the current trend of withdrawing U.S. military assets from Europe—specifically Poland, Romania, and Germany—represents a dangerous shift toward isolationism. Forbes warns that this retreat mirrors the geopolitical climate of the 1930s, which preceded the Second World War, and suggests that such a pullback is a "strategic disaster."

Recent Military Withdrawals and Tensions

Forbes highlights several specific instances of U.S. military retrenchment:

• Poland: The unexpected cancellation of a U.S. Army brigade deployment is cited as particularly concerning, given Poland’s role as a frontline state against Russian aggression.
• Romania: The abrupt removal of a rotational brigade last year.
• Germany: The withdrawal of 5,000 troops, which Forbes acknowledges was a response to Germany’s lack of support in the Strait of Hormuz, but argues was an inappropriate method of expressing diplomatic displeasure.

The Case for Continued Engagement

Forbes presents three primary arguments for why the U.S. must remain committed to Europe:

1. Economic and Political Stability: NATO was instrumental in winning the Cold War and preventing the type of continental warfare that devastated the 20th century.
2. Countering Russian Ambitions: Vladimir Putin’s stated goal is to dominate Europe by weakening and eventually destroying NATO. A U.S. withdrawal serves Putin’s interests directly.
3. Global Credibility: If the U.S. allows the European alliance to fracture, it will be perceived as an "unreliable leader." This perception could trigger a global arms race, specifically the proliferation of nuclear weapons among nations that no longer trust the U.S. security umbrella, significantly increasing the risk of nuclear exchange.

Critique of U.S. Policy Toward Ukraine

The commentary criticizes both the Trump and Biden administrations for their reluctance to support Ukraine. Forbes points to the Pentagon’s stalling of $400 million in congressionally appropriated aid as evidence of an "ominous attitude" within the U.S. government that undervalues the necessity of European security.

The Path Forward: Shared Responsibility

While Forbes acknowledges that NATO members were historically under-investing in their own defense, he notes that U.S. defense spending had also been "dangerously small." He advocates for a two-pronged approach:

• European Responsibility: More European nations must emulate the defense spending and economic success of countries like Poland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
• Diplomatic Healing: Washington and European capitals must prioritize repairing their divisions. Forbes concludes with a stark warning: "A new isolationism will sink us all," emphasizing that the U.S. and Europe are "in the same boat" regarding global security.

Conclusion

The main takeaway is that the U.S. cannot afford to retreat from its European commitments. The cost of a fractured NATO is not merely regional instability but a global shift toward a world dominated by adversaries like China or a world defined by nuclear proliferation. The solution lies in mutual commitment: Europe must increase its defense contributions, and the U.S. must reaffirm its role as a reliable, engaged leader.