US Alliances Crumble: Japan and Germany Shift as Postwar Order Ends

Berlin and Tokyo are reshaping their defense strategies. The reason: growing threats from authoritarian powers and deep uncertainty about the United States under President Donald Trump. During a meeting last month, Trump mocked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with a reference to Pearl Harbor. Critics say his actions have done more than any other leader to destroy the international system built after World War II. This week, Polish President Donald Tusk openly questioned whether the US would stay "loyal" to NATO if Russia attacked. A Pentagon memo reportedly suggested suspending Spain from NATO and reviewing US support for the British claim to the Falkland Islands. A separate report said US officials believe the war in Iran has depleted American munitions so quickly that it now threatens plans to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion. These developments signal a major shift in global alliances. The old order created by the US after 1945 is fading, and a new, more unpredictable world is taking its place.