Europe Learns to Live With an Erratic America
The Trump administration's unilateral war with Iran has strained NATO relations, as European allies were neither consulted nor prepared for the conflict's consequences. With the U.S. military overstretched and European nations facing economic turmoil and delayed weapons shipments, trust in American leadership has eroded. Europe is now considering independent actions to secure global shipping lanes, but remains constrained by the ongoing hostilities and unpredictable U.S. policies.
- ▪The U.S. launched a military campaign against Iran alongside Israel without consulting NATO allies.
- ▪Mark Jones, the Pentagon's director of NATO policy, was reassigned due to his alignment with traditional alliance values.
- ▪Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, causing energy price spikes and economic disruptions across Europe.
- ▪Slovenia introduced fuel rationing, with other European countries following suit due to energy shortages.
- ▪The Pentagon announced a withdrawal of 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany without prior detailed planning or review.
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National SecurityEurope Learns to Live With an Erratic AmericaTrump’s war in Iran shows foreign policy by petty feuds is NATO’s new reality.By Isaac Stanley-BeckerIllustration by The Atlantic. Source: Chip Somodevilla / GettyMay 4, 2026, 4:03 PM ET ShareSave We got this. That was the Trump administration’s message to European allies in the early days of its war with Iran. Washington hadn’t warned its NATO partners about the military campaign, jointly undertaken with Israel, much less consulted with them about the war’s objectives.Instead, American officials told Europeans to look after their own interests.
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