In January 2026, the transatlantic relationship has reached a paradoxical milestone: Europe has finally met Washington’s long-standing demands for increased defense spending, yet the resulting “Strategic Awakening” has triggered deep friction over influence, industrial preference, and the very definition of Western civilization.
The North Atlantic relationship is undergoing a significant transformation due to shifting American strategic priorities from alliance-based internationalism to sphere-of-influence arrangements among major powers. This change, evident in recent policies and diplomatic actions, raises important questions regarding the sustainability of the transatlantic security architecture and its implications for both American and European interests.
Washington’s December 4th National Security Strategy, which emphasizes “cultivating resistance” in Europe and warns of “civilizational erasure,” has elicited a near-silent response from European governments. This silence reflects a deeper paralysis, as they acknowledge the need for a fundamental transformation of their security architecture but struggle to establish a unified vision for independent action.
The 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS), released on December 4, is viewed by Timothy Hopper as more of a “farewell statement” to the post-Cold War order rather than a strategic roadmap. It undermines American-led institutions, indicating a voluntary retreat from its role as a global hegemon. This represents a structural dismantling of the mechanisms that supported U.S. primacy. Hopper highlights a contradiction in Washington’s desire for global influence without the willingness to incur the necessary costs.
The current diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in Ukraine seem more focused on creating a favorable public image than achieving true stability. The Trump administration’s push for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict appears motivated by a desire for a political legacy rather than the realities on the ground. By seeking a quick solution instead of a sustainable security framework, the U.S. risks providing the Kremlin with a strategic advantage, potentially destabilizing the European Union and leaving Ukraine vulnerable to future attacks.
The Trump administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) has upset the longstanding transatlantic consensus, alarming nations like Germany and Poland while appealing to Russia. The 33-page document frames European integration as a threat to civilization and emphasizes “patriotic” nationalism, undermining NATO’s ideological foundations even as member countries reach record defense spending levels.
The December 5, 2025 release of the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy signifies a significant shift in transatlantic relations, explicitly showcasing American antagonism toward its historical democratic allies. The document goes beyond conventional policy disputes, exposing a deep-seated hostility toward European sovereignty, democratic governance, and territorial integrity.
Washington’s foreign policy paradoxically reflects substantial military spending increases and the erosion of traditional alliances through economic coercion, showcasing a significant gap between campaign promises of restraint and current governance, highlighting tensions in American strategic thinking.
