The basing of American troops in Europe was never supposed to be permanent. In 1951, supreme Allied commander in Europe, Dwight Eisenhower warned that if “in 10 years, all American troops stationed in Europe for national defense purposes have not been returned to the United States, then this whole project will have failed.” And yet, American forces remain in Europe to this day. At the Cato Institute, Benjamin Giltner explains that Europe can protect itself, and that America faces new demands on its resources and won’t be able to give Europe cover forever. He writes:

Earlier this week, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commented to the European Parliament’s defense and foreign affairs committees that Europe is unable to defend itself without the United States, and that supporters of such an idea should “keep on dreaming.” For someone who called President Trump “daddy,” such perceived dependence upon the United States is to be expected.

But the only one dreaming is Rutte. If he thinks the United States will or can sustain troops in Europe indefinitely, then he is sorely mistaken. The United States is incapable of sustaining troops in Europe with its worsening domestic fiscal situation and the rise of China. Instead, Finnish President Alexander Stubb was correct to allege that Europe can “unequivocally” protect itself. Europe can and must defend itself without the United States. It should begin preparing for a world without US protection before it’s too late.

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