French media: Why is the new US national security strategy turning its focus on Europe?

The newly released U.S. national security strategy document sharply criticized the policies of its ally, the European Union. On Monday, the President of the European Council, Costa, clearly expressed opposition to the U.S. attempt to interfere in EU internal policies. Within the EU, although it had long sensed the shift in U.S. security strategy from statements by American officials, the written document directly pointing the finger at Europe left the EU astonished.

The new version of the U.S. national security strategy published this Friday suggests that Trump's America seems to be dismantling the international order established since 1945.

The new U.S. strategy has abandoned its global vision and instead places the world within several major spheres of influence, with each major power responsible for its own interests, and the U.S. not interfering in their internal affairs. The report states, "We seek good relations and peaceful trade relationships with countries around the world, rather than seeking to impose democratic change on countries with traditional and historical backgrounds very different from ours... maintaining good relations with countries with different political and social systems is not hypocritical or contradictory."

The French newspaper Le Figaro analyzes that this new national security strategy outlines a new geopolitical vision, where the United States, China, and Russia dominate the world, each with their own areas of cooperation and spheres of influence. Europe must avoid "civilizational decline" through the "help" of the United States, under the rise of the "far-right forces" encouraged by the U.S. The Kremlin responded on Sunday: "We note that many aspects of the revised U.S. security strategy align with our views."

The only exception to Trump's new isolationism is Europe. This document describes the EU as an entity in crisis, the only one where the "America First" principle and strong oversight must be implemented to prevent the "decline of European civilization." The creation of the EU was supported by the U.S., but now it is seen as a harmful and oppressive entity. The document states: "The activities of the EU and other multinational institutions that undermine political freedom and sovereignty are changing immigration policies on the European continent... censorship of freedom of speech and suppression of political opposition, plummeting birth rates, and the loss of national identity and confidence..."

"If this trend continues, the European continent will be unrecognizable within 20 years or less." The new national security strategy also criticizes EU leaders for having "unrealistic expectations" about resolving the war in Ukraine.

This situation gives the U.S. sufficient grounds to intervene in European affairs, as Europe remains "strategically and culturally vital" to the U.S., so the U.S. aims to help Europe change its course, and the salvation of the European continent will come from far-right forces. Therefore, the U.S. will encourage them; they are the political allies of the U.S., and the growing influence of patriotic parties is a source of optimism.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1851010791343107/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.