Prescribing an Arms Buildup for Europe
Shocked by Trump’s extreme dealmaking, the EU must now face up to defending itself.
Masked protesters in Berlin wearing the faces of Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far right Alternative for Germany party, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and JD Vance.
Photographer: David Gannon/AFP/ Getty Images
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Amid World War II, Bing Crosby popularized a song by Cole Porter called “Don’t Fence Me In.” It’s really about American cowboys and the expanse of the US with its “land, lots of land under starry skies above.” But, this week, one of its lyrics reminded me of Europe: “I want to ride to the ridge where the west commences, and gaze at the moon till I lose my senses.” That’s because Europe is the historic heart of the geopolitical West — and the continent is losing its senses after US President Donald Trump announced a barrage of policy initiatives that threaten the old trans-Atlantic status quo.