What a Stronger Europe Means for America

In The Foreign Affairs Interview, Dan Kurtzfahlan speaks with Celeste Wallander, former top U.S. defense official overseeing policy toward Europe and Russia, about the evolving transatlantic alliance in light of increased European defense spending. Wallander discusses the recent NATO summit, highlighting the commitment to a 5% of GDP defense spending target and its implications for European capabilities and independence. She emphasizes that while increased European defense spending is a positive step, it could lead to a more independent Europe, potentially complicating U.S. foreign policy priorities. The conversation touches on the war in Ukraine, the challenges of negotiating with Russia, and the importance of European cooperation in ensuring nuclear nonproliferation in the Middle East, as well as the changing dynamics within Europe itself due to rearmament.