US National Security strategy Delivers Bracing Assessment of Europe
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“one thing that stands out in the new National Military Strategy is that it is 10X more critical of Europe than Russia” – Representative Don Bacon (Republican, Nebraska).
Landing Friday with the subtlety of a scud missile, the new National Security Strategy of the United States of america has quite a lot to say about Europe and us Europeans. And it ain’t pretty.
Not as Vladimir Putin’s July 2021 essay on the history of Ukraine as part of greater Russia has a major power published a more bracing analysis of Europe’s strategic position in the twenty frist century.
OK – the chapter on our continent is entitled ‘Promoting European Greatness’.
But it diagnoses Europe’s chief problem not as the usual American talking points on economic decline or military weakness. It’s far more profound than that.
According to US President Trump’s National security Strategy, the main problem to be addressed by the US in Europe is “civilisational erasure”.
The keywords in this strategy document are not bomb, fleet, missile, factory or resource – they are culture, civilisation, religion, family, history and character.
And the quiet part – not uttered aloud, but strongly implied – is about race.
Indeed the first priority of the entire document states “the era of mass migration is over”.
“We want Europe to remain European, to regain its civilisational self-confidence, and to abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation,” the strategy says.
And that aligns the US with the kind of internal European analysis of Victor Orban, Marine LePen, Jason Bardella, the Polish Justice and Law party and Germany’s Alternativ fur Deutschland, to name but a few.
Some on the right-hand side of the political aisle in Ireland will also see reflections of their own political thought in thes pages.
Maybe some on the left-hand side too (it declares US policy to be “pro-worker”).
And it sees the EU as a malign actor, along with other unspecified “transnational bodies” presumably including the International Criminal Court, the G20, the WTO etc.
It’s not quite at the same level as Russia declaring the EU one of its three “strategic enemies” (the USA and NATO are the other two): but it’s certainly not a warm embrace either.
It codifies many of the views first expressed by US vice president JD Vance at the Munich security conference into an official policy document.
EU governments can’t say they weren’t warned.
“the larger issues facing Europe include activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence,” it states.
Strategy suggests Europe should ‘reverse migration’
The US Strategy suggests that Europe should follow the US lead on closing its borders and instituting “reverse migration”.
Without using the word “white”, the document says current European immigration and social policy will make the continent less white.
It states that “America’s goal should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory”.
And it justifies this on national security grounds.
It codifies many of the views first expressed by US vice president JD Vance.
“Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognisable in 20 years or less.
“As such, it is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies. Many of these nations are currently doubling down on their present path.”
This, it believes, will have significant implications for European security, as expressed through NATO, because it will change the racial and cultural charact
US National Security Strategy Signals Shift in Approach to Europe and Russia
A recently surfaced US National Security Strategy document reveals a starkly different approach to European relations and the conflict in Ukraine, diverging substantially from traditional post-war American foreign policy. The document outlines a desire to negotiate a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine to stabilise European economies, prevent escalation, and reestablish strategic stability with Russia – a nation it acknowledges, by almost every measure, rivals the US.
The strategy highlights a growing disconnect between the Trump Administration and European officials,accusing some European governments of prioritizing unrealistic expectations for the war while simultaneously suppressing democratic processes. It argues that European states cannot effectively reform while mired in political crisis, a situation the US views as strategically important to address.
This shift in perspective extends to ongoing disputes with EU states, including Ireland, regarding the regulation of online media platforms. The document explicitly links US national security concerns to the commercial interests of tech giants like X, Meta, and Alphabet, as well as all AI developers, urging a broader understanding of the policy implications across various Irish goverment departments and the private sector.
The core tenets of the US policy for Europe, as outlined in the document, include:
* reestablishing stability within Europe and with Russia.
* Enabling European self-reliance and defense, free from adversarial dominance.
* Cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory.
* Opening European markets to US goods and services.
* Strengthening Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe through commercial and political ties.
* Ending the perception of NATO as an expanding alliance.
* Combating opposed economic practices like mercantilism and cyber espionage.
The strategy represents a move away from lengthy engagement with global conflicts towards a more focused, “America first” approach. It prioritizes aligning resources with clearly defined national interests, rejecting endless intervention in favour of securing and enhancing American power. This involves a “focused definition of the national interest”, a commitment to “peace through strength”, a “predisposition to non-interventionism”, “flexible realism”, and the “primacy of nations”.
The document concludes that American elites previously miscalculated the nation’s willingness to bear perpetual global burdens,signalling a decisive shift towards a more pragmatic and self-centered foreign policy.
New US strategy Shifts focus from Middle East to Investment and Internal Strength
A newly outlined US strategy signals a significant shift in foreign policy, moving away from a traditional focus on the Middle East and towards fostering investment, particularly in Africa, alongside a renewed emphasis on domestic cultural and spiritual strength. This strategy,as detailed in recent reports,anticipates a decline in the region’s geopolitical importance and prioritizes economic partnerships and internal revitalization.
Rethinking the Middle East
The strategy document suggests the Middle East’s influence will wane, stating, “East will recede.” Instead of maintaining a dominant security role,the US aims to cultivate the region as a hub for international investment,expanding beyond oil and gas into sectors like nuclear energy,artificial intelligence (AI),and defense technologies.
This approach also includes working with Middle Eastern partners to secure supply chains and promote open markets in Africa. The document highlights a desire to move beyond traditional aid models and focus on investment and growth, leveraging Africa’s natural resources and economic potential.
A New approach to Africa: Investment over Ideology
For decades, US policy in Africa has been characterized by attempts to promote liberal ideology. The new strategy proposes a departure from this approach, advocating for partnerships focused on conflict resolution, mutually beneficial trade, and a transition from foreign aid to investment. This shift aims to unlock Africa’s economic potential by harnessing its abundant natural resources. https://www.state.gov/united-states-strategy-toward-sub-saharan-africa/
“hard Power” and the Importance of “Soft Power”
While the strategy acknowledges the importance of maintaining robust “hard power” – a strong industrial base, energy independence, scientific advancement, military strength, and financial power – it uniquely emphasizes internal “soft power” goals for both the US and Europe.
Specifically, for the United States, the strategy calls for “the restoration and reinvigoration of American spiritual and cultural health, without which long term security is impractical.” This includes a focus on strengthening traditional families and raising healthy children. This emphasis on internal cultural factors represents a notable departure from previous foreign policy strategies.
The Rise of “MAGA Goes International”
Observers have noted a growing prominence of these themes in recent months,particularly on social media platforms. the strategy’s emphasis on national strength, traditional values, and a re-evaluation of international partnerships aligns with the “America First” principles previously championed by the “Make America Great again” (MAGA) movement, leading to predictions of its increasing influence on the global stage.
Key Takeaways:
* Shift in Focus: The US is moving away from a central role in the Middle East towards fostering investment in Africa.
* Investment over Aid: The strategy prioritizes investment and trade partnerships over traditional foreign aid, particularly in Africa.
* Internal Strength: A renewed emphasis on domestic cultural and spiritual health is considered crucial for long-term security.
* “MAGA” Influence: The strategy reflects themes associated with the “America First” movement, potentially signaling a broader shift in US foreign policy.
This new strategy represents a significant recalibration of US foreign policy, prioritizing economic partnerships, internal strength, and a re-evaluation of long-held geopolitical assumptions. Its long-term impact remains to be seen, but it signals a clear intention to pursue a more nationally focused and investment-driven approach to global engagement.