Donald Trump's recent performance at the NATO summit in Ankara revealed the limits of his confrontational approach.
His threats to withdraw from the alliance, once alarming, now ring hollow as Europe strengthens its defenses and the world adjusts to American unilateralism.
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Trump's domestic political opponents should not rush into an uncritical embrace of US alliances. For all his bluster, Trump recognized a real issue: the costs of global commitments.
If leaders fail to address these costs, they risk fueling the populist fires that brought Trump to power.
The Ankara summit showed Trump weakened by his failed war on Iran.
His talking points berating allies for not supporting him against Iran have lost shock value and conflicted with his later claims of 'tremendous love' at the meeting.
Europe is now less vulnerable to Trump's threats of abandonment. It is on course to acquire serious defenses against Russia, reducing reliance on the US.
This shift should be welcomed in Washington, as Europe and America share interests in peace and prosperity.
The Real Damage and the Need for Balance
Despite the slowing of Trump's assault on NATO, the damage to trust and confidence is real and will take years to repair.
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His threats undermine Washington's ability to build partnerships on climate, health, and the global economy.
However, many of Trump's opponents remain overcommitted to military alliances, treating them with near-religious enthusiasm.
Alliances entail a commitment to fight wars for other countries, a huge cost that US leaders must weigh carefully.
Biden's bear hug of Israel is the most glaring example of unbalanced commitment, driving the US into the Gaza tragedy.
Other cases include unconditional support for Ukraine and Taiwan, and one-dimensional reassurance of European allies.
The Ankara summit may be remembered as a step toward a more equal US-European relationship within NATO.
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Future leaders must learn from Trump's mistakes without simply reacting against them, embracing realism about the limits of American power and the costs the American people bear.
