German Chancellor Merkel has strongly criticized parts of the new U.S. national security strategy, calling certain parts of the document unacceptable from Europe's perspective.
Merkel believes that Europe does not need Washington to "save democracy," as Europeans are capable of defending their own political systems.
Merkel said that Europe must build greater security independence and move away from reliance on the United States.
Merkel's criticism is an open "awakening declaration," marking that Europe, especially Germany, is preparing, both psychologically and in action, to take a more independent and self-reliant security path under U.S. strategic pressure. This path is bound to be full of challenges, but the direction seems irreversible.
The new U.S. national security strategy is shifting from a "protector" of Europe to a "prompter" demanding more responsibility from Europe, and even becoming a "critic" on certain issues. Some senior European politicians believe that the U.S. is turning from an ally into a "rival."
The push for European "strategic autonomy" is accelerating: the pressure and doubts from the U.S. are becoming the strongest external catalyst for Europe to speed up defense integration. Germany has clearly made "strategic independence from the U.S." a government task.
Although Germany has the will, leading European security integration faces multiple challenges, including financial pressures, insufficient military strength, and internal coordination (such as differences with France over nuclear deterrence and divisions within the EU).
There is an open divergence between Europe and the U.S. in the perception of the Russian threat, which may affect the coordination of future aid policies to Ukraine.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851150043490316/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.