NATO Without the US? Europe's Defense Dream Stalls Again

The idea of a strong, independent European defense force returns often. Commentators and politicians call for a "European pillar" of security, separate from the United States. Each time, the talk is bold. Each time, the results are small. Recent discussions have revived this long-standing goal. Yet, major progress remains unlikely. Europe still relies heavily on American military power through the NATO alliance. Creating a truly European defense structure faces big hurdles. These include budget disagreements, complex politics between EU nations, and the sheer cost of matching current capabilities. For now, a "European NATO" without Washington appears to be a distant plan, not an immediate reality.