USA shifts security focus: Europe loses importance

WASHINGTON / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – The United States has revised its national security strategy and classified Europe as less important. The focus is now on our own hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific, which could have profound effects on the transatlantic order.

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The latest US national security strategy marks a significant shift in the country’s geopolitical direction. For the first time, Europe is no longer described as a central partner, but as a region of decreasing importance. This realignment is reflected in the revival of the Monroe Doctrine, which envisages a political and economic isolation of the Western Hemisphere from external influences. The US is focusing more on its own interests and the Indo-Pacific, which could have far-reaching consequences for transatlantic cooperation.

The strategy describes the US global presence as overextended, which implies a reduction in military forces in regions with decreased relative importance. Europe is implicitly the focus of this reduction. The US government is demanding greater security policy independence from its allies, which it no longer wants to guarantee. This requirement could have a significant impact on the European security architecture and lead to a realignment of European defense policy.

The strategy takes a particularly critical view of Europe’s role in the Ukraine conflict. The USA accuses European governments of prolonging the conflict instead of ending it. This criticism is directed less at military decisions than at the political processes in Europe, which are described as too slow and divisive. The administration speaks of an erosion of democratic structures and unstable minority governments that ignore the desire for peace.

Another aspect of the strategy is the security policy focus on issues such as migration, identity and sovereignty. The USA sees migration policy decisions, alleged censorship of freedom of expression, the role of supranational institutions and falling birth rates as factors that have weakened Europe. This view could further strain transatlantic relations, especially since the strategy praises patriotic European parties, marking a break from previous U.S. foreign policy traditions.

Germany is viewed particularly critically in the strategy, especially with regard to its China policy. The US government sees the idea of ​​change through trade as an illusion and a strategic mistake. Germany’s economic ties with China and dependence on Russian gas are described as potential security risks. This assessment could put a strain on German-American relations and lead to a reassessment of German foreign trade policy.

In the geopolitical context, the Indo-Pacific is becoming the focus of American deterrence strategy. Taiwan is described as a decisive factor, both economically and in terms of security policy. The US is asserting its military superiority in the region to prevent escalation. This clear positioning surprised observers who had recently speculated about possible concessions to China. In this context, Europe only appears as a flanking factor, relevant but not groundbreaking.

Overall, the new US security strategy reads like a turning point in transatlantic relations. The USA is radically redefining its role vis-à-vis Europe, with a focus on its own hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific. For Germany and the EU, this means the end of a decade of strategic certainties. The resulting vacuum could be filled by new actors already poised to reshape the geopolitical landscape.

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