
Transatlantic Adaptation: A More European NATO?
From Brussels Sprouts by Center for a New American Security | CNAS
April 24, 2026 · 51 min · Episode 79
About this episode
The episode discusses the future of NATO and European defense in light of U.S. reliability concerns.
Doubts about U.S. reliability and the future of NATO are top of mind for most in the transatlantic community. The concerns that spiked after President Donald Trump’s threats to seize Greenland have gained new urgency amid the standoff over Europe’s position on America’s war in Iran. The tensions in U.S. relations with Europe were on full display earlier this month during President Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington and afterward when Trump berated NATO allies online, calling the alliance a paper tiger. In the context of these criticisms and threats, European officials are reportedly working on fallback plans to ensure Europe can maintain deterrence against Russia, preserve command and control, and replace military assets if the United States departs the alliance. All of this raises fundamental questions about the future of the NATO alliance. How can Europe maintain credible deterrence with less U.S. involvement? And what is the latest thinking on how the alliance needs to adapt? To tackle these questions and more, Brussels Sprouts is excited to welcome back Ivo Daalder and Camille Grand to this week’s edition of the podcast. Ivo Daalder is a…
People in this episode
Guests: Ivo Daalder, Camille Grand
Topics covered
- NATO
- transatlantic relations
- European defense
- U.S. reliability
- military strategy
- deterrence
Keywords
- NATO
- transatlantic community
- U.S. relations
- deterrence
- military assets
- European officials
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NATO, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Aerospace, Security, and Defence Industries Association of Europe
Places: United States, Europe, Iran, Greenland
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