President Donald Trump has yet again – in his familiar fashion – sent shockwaves through the capitals of America's European allies. Born in 1949 to counter Soviet expansion in Europe, NATO still makes sense as an anti-Russian pact. A spokesman for Merz insisted on Monday, 'This war has nothing to do with NATO… NATO is a defensive alliance, an alliance for the defense of its territory. Born in 1949 to counter Soviet expansion in Europe, NATO still makes sense as an anti-Russian pact. NATO is undoubtably still important – but both sides of the alliance need to think seriously about its limitations.

Source: Daily Mail March 19, 2026 15:56 UTC