Trump Betrayal and the Future of the European Union

They did this, as evidence of American greatness, shining as fans of democracy and human rights, and inspiring many other nations to copy the United States. The Allies on both sides of the Atlantic stayed together for what is right and what is moral. And this, until President of the United States was elected Donald Trump.

In a short time, Trump has shaken this unique and successful alliance, questioning NATO's value as it humiliated its leaders. He is inclined to divide Europe, and subject it to his US dictatorship, or even to the worst enemy of the West, Russia of Vladimir Putin.

Trump's betrayal of our European allies will be remembered as the darkest chapter in the history of the NATO alliance, and will not be corrected as long as Trump is in power. Donald Trump's unheeding respect to the Western archenemy Putin was undoubtedly disgusting and strange, if not open treason.

A Historic Option

Because of this chaotic conduct, Trump has already given the European Union a historic opportunity to reevaluate its role and commitment to its alliance with the United States. While the EU must make every effort to maintain the integrity of the alliance, it should try to end its psychological and emotional dependence on the United States, and move the alliance with America towards a reciprocity of strategic goals.

This means that the EU must be prepared to act unilaterally and independently when collective interest of national security is threatened, with or without support from the United States. Brussels will be much more respected by the United States, and will be treated as equal by cultivating an independent stance that should be supported regardless of who is at the White House.

To that end, the EU must develop its vision, where it wants to be in the next 15-20 years, and what measures it must take to maintain the integrity of the European alliance. The door will remain open to the American leadership, but under a reasonable and principled president who understands the alliance's great values.

European Protection

But this time, the EU has to build the political and defence mechanism, with all its own stance implies. Despite the fact that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has so far distorted the issue of European protection, because of the shameful history of Nazism, she has finally concluded after incidents caused by Trump, that it is time for the European community to take care of itself.

Above all, it follows the words with concrete acts. Despite the United States, the European Union must strengthen its military capabilities and build a reliable obstacle against Russia. As such, The EU must remain the most powerful military force in Europe within the NATO framework, and share all necessary funds in the operation of that goal.

In this direction, the union must reassess Turkey's credibility as a member of NATO, and should not rule out its possibility of exclusion from the alliance, as long as Ankara is challenging the NATO Treaty, is consuming its grave human rights violations in the country, as well as flirting with Europe's main enemy, Russia.

EU Must Reform

The European Union must also consolidate its institutions, reforming its constitution, and especially the decision-making process, to adopt more effective policies in due time. This is very important, especially now that Brussels faces riots over Brex as well as domestic political disputes.

Furthermore, the EU must promote a permanent financial structure to address the needs of member states, which experience financial difficulties, such as Greece. The European Union should freeze further integration of member states until it has implemented most of its reforms.

Meanwhile, the EU must develop and foster relations with all potential candidates for membership, especially the Balkan countries, to curb Turkish President Erdogan's ambitions, from the appeal of these states to enter its Islamic orbit. The EU also needs to focus on resolving conflicts, especially in the Middle East and Africa, as they have a direct and indirect impact on Europe.

The EU has direct strategic and security interests, to play an active role in seeking a solution to the conflicts in Libya (a byproduct of the European role in the collapse of Gaddafi), and Yemen must surely make continued efforts to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, however the latter may seem to be.

The EU needs to change the nature of relations with Africa not just from donor to recipient, but to play a direct role in the economic growth of undeveloped African countries, not only because there is a moral obligation derived from colonialism, but because these efforts serve the EU's own security interests.

A significant portion of the EU's extensive financial contribution to the African Union (over $3 billion since 2004, needs to be dedicated to sustainable development projects, to provide employment opportunities, and to strengthen local communities. This is the most effective way to address the root causes of violent extremism and immigration, which the union is suffering greatly.

Note: Alon Ben-Meir is an adviser at the Global Affairs Center at New York University. / “The Globalist” Albanian from the world.al