This thread about Trump and Europe went viral because it’s as grim as it is real
This thread by former US ambassador Dan Shapiro about Donald Trump’s impending visit to Europe went viral because, well, have a read for yourself.
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1. I don't think we are fully grappling with the possibility that we could be on the on the cusp of a completely new era, a fundamental reshaping of the international order. And I don't mean over the course of the Trump Administration. I mean by next week.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
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2. It sounds outlandish to even say it out loud, and some can easily call this hyperbole. I hope to God it does not happen. But we would be insane not to grapple with the possibility.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
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3. Trump clearly wants to pull the US out of NATO. He doesn’t believe in the alliance (or any alliances); he thinks our allies take advantage of us; he complains that NATO is worse than NAFTA(whatever that means); he seeks purely transactional relations with our closest partners.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
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4. Should other NATO members meet their 2% of GDP defense spending targets? Absolutely. Trump is on solid ground to push for it. But to consistently trash allies, undervalue their contributions to our security, threaten to withdraw US troops — that’s him wanting out.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
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5. Perhaps most damaging is that his rhetoric is building up hostility to NATO among his supporters. It’s a huge breach in the consensus American support for the alliance that has undergirded Western security for 70 years, and it won’t disappear when Trump does.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
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6. What’s more, his passionate desire for friendship with Putin is emboldening Russia & risks doing further damage to European security. If he recognizes Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, if he seeks to tone down sanctions on Russia over its aggression vs Ukraine, watch out.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
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7. This could play out in the next 2 weeks. If he sabotages the NATO summit the way he did the G-7, don’t be surprised if he actually makes a move toward exiting NATO. Think he won’t? On what basis? Because his staff restrains him? Because of his strategic understanding? Please.
— Dan Shapiro (@DanielBShapiro) July 9, 2018
