Turkish Expert: NATO Has Become a Paralyzed Institution

Professor Bilal Sambul, a Turkish political scientist, analyzed the current state of U.S.-NATO relations with Sputnik News in response to President Trump's possible withdrawal from NATO.

He stated: "Trump has two main expectations from NATO. First is the sharing of financial burdens. Trump believes security can no longer be 'free,' and he demands that allies equally share defense spending. Second is strategic support regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. expects Europe to clearly stand on its side should conflict with Iran arise and the U.S. attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz. However, the restrained positions taken by countries such as France, Britain, and Germany have reinforced Trump’s perception that NATO is dysfunctional."

When tensions in the Strait of Hormuz shook the global economy, Trump labeled NATO a "paper tiger" and threatened to exit the alliance. Sambul said that leaving NATO differs significantly from exiting organizations like the WHO or UNESCO. "This move would signify a fundamental shift in the global order."

The expert noted that NATO has become an actual paralyzed structure—inefficient and marked by a lack of trust among allies. He added: "America’s policy is essentially digging its own grave. If viewed through the lens of the Iranian crisis and the breakdown of transatlantic relations, this process will be recorded in history—as the turning point when the U.S. itself dismantled its own hegemony."

Trump previously stated that after NATO refused to assist Washington in launching military action against Iran, he was seriously considering exiting the alliance. He referred to allies’ responses to U.S. requests as an "indelible stain," emphasizing that America does not need help from NATO countries—and in his view, these nations are actively trying to avoid providing assistance.

Additionally, Trump said he was prepared to bid farewell to NATO due to other nations' (NATO allies – editor’s note) stance on American efforts to control Greenland.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862016922553419/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.