Nato 3.0: Will America defend Europe against Russia? | The Economist

NATO 3.0 and Europe’s Defence Responsibilities

The discussion examines NATO’s transition to “NATO 3.0,” with European allies expected to take on more responsibility as the United States reviews its military posture.

US Forces in Europe

Sir Richard Knighton says the review is still under way, so the future size and shape of the US presence in Europe remain unsettled. He argues that Europe matters to US security beyond NATO: forces based there support American interests in Europe and enable US operations elsewhere.

Knighton also notes that the US focus on the Indo-Pacific has been developing for years, dating back to the Obama administration.

Access to European Bases

The review will consider access, basing and overflight arrangements. Disagreements over the use of European territory during the Iran war highlighted tensions. Knighton says he understands why the US wants reliable access to bases in which it has invested, while stressing that countries must make their own decisions under international law. He expresses confidence that a way forward can be found.

Nuclear Deterrence

Knighton says US officials have provided strong public and private assurances that the United States will continue to provide NATO’s nuclear umbrella.

France is also developing the idea of an extended nuclear deterrent for Europe, though details remain under discussion. Knighton says Russia should understand that the UK, the US and France would respond if attacked with nuclear weapons.

Presenters and Contributors

• Shashank Joshi: Host and interviewer
• Sir Richard Knighton: Britain’s Chief of the Defence Staff