NATO

NEW PUBLICATION: Deterring Putin, Appeasing Trump?

At a time where the global security order faces unprecedented stress, NATO finds itself performing a high-stakes balancing act. The 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague was meant to symbolise unity, but instead revealed deeper uncertainties beneath the surface. With President Trump back in the White House and Russia continuing its military aggression, the Alliance reaffirmed its collective defence pledge and raised its spending target to an ambitious 5% of GDP.  Yet, the summit also exposed Europe’s enduring dependence on the U.S. — a vulnerability with far-reaching implications.In this publication, Gerlinde Groitl explores the implications of the summit and gives five do's and don'ts for Europe and Germany:

1. Learn to Live with Trump and a More Self-Centered United States
2. Bridging the Gap – European Self-Empowerment amidst Dependency
3. Fight for What is Right – Political Leadership to Implement Reforms
4. Reforming Structures – There are Things Money Cannot Buy
5. Promoting Realism: Geopolitics Requires Strategy and Innovation