Can the Transatlantic Alliance Survive the Trump Presidency?
From Global Security Briefing by The Royal United Services Institute
January 21, 2026 · 57 min · Season 1 · Episode 115
About this episode
This episode discusses the impact of the Trump presidency on transatlantic relations and European security.
As US–European relations face renewed strain under President Trump, this episode explores what the crisis means for NATO, European security and the United Kingdom. In this episode, Neil Melvin is joined by RUSI Distinguished Fellow Sir David Lidington to discuss the growing crisis in transatlantic relations, from the Greenland dispute and uncertainty over US security commitments to the wider impact of Russia's war in Ukraine and shifting US strategy, and to assess what these changes mean for Europe's security order and the UK's strategic choices. The discussion explores: - The resilience of Europe's security order amid transatlantic tension. - The implications of the Greenland crisis for NATO and European unity. - How NATO, the EU and smaller groupings are adapting to a harsher security environment. - The future of the Ukraine war and its impact on European security. - Whether NATO and the transatlantic relationship can endure. - How the UK should position itself in a changing Euro-Atlantic landscape. Recorded on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
People in this episode
Host: Neil Melvin
Guest: Sir David Lidington
Topics covered
- transatlantic relations
- NATO
- European security
- US security commitments
- Ukraine war
- UK strategic choices
Keywords
- transatlantic alliance
- Trump presidency
- NATO
- European security
- Greenland dispute
- Russia
- Ukraine war
- UK strategy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NATO, EU
Places: United Kingdom, Greenland
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- Is the Trump Administration's 'Donroe' Doctrine Transforming Relations with Latin America? · February 18, 2026 · 54 min
- Greenland: A Flashpoint in Transatlantic Relations · January 28, 2026 · 14 min
- How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security? · January 14, 2026 · 53 min
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