**Trump's Shift: Europe Must Take the Reins for NATO Defense**

The article outlines how a reduced U.S. role in NATO requires substantial European investment and cooperation.

In a notable pivot regarding NATO's structure and defense responsibilities, President Trump expressed skepticism about the viability of the current American-led framework during his second term. He indicated that European nations must reassess their military contributions and take more responsibility for their own defense. This shift away from U.S. priority on European security is driven by a desire to concentrate American resources on domestic concerns and rivals in the Indo-Pacific region.

Trump's comments on Thursday pointed toward a future where the U.S. might withdraw support for NATO member states that do not meet their defense funding obligations. This inherently questions the foundational reliance on American military might and strategies, as NATO was originally conceived with a strong U.S. leadership role. According to Ivo Daalder, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, this dependence poses significant challenges; it is a complex undertaking requiring European nations to invest deeply in military infrastructure and establish coherent cooperation mechanisms amongst themselves.

Challenges include not only financial investments but also personnel recruitment and developing independent military capabilities. As Daalder pointedly remarked, the U.S. military acts as the "skeleton" of NATO, and its potential withdrawal raises questions about the overall viability of the alliance. Hence, if Europeans aspire for a robust future independent of American dominance, they will need concerted effort, time, and unified strategy to foster a self-sufficient defense pillar within NATO.