NATO Allies Should Threaten Trump With ‘Divorce,’ Says Retired General

Retired General Advises NATO Allies to Threaten Trump With ‘Divorce’

A retired French general, formerly with NATO, has suggested a bold strategy for European and Canadian allies facing repeated threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the alliance. General Michel Yakovlev, who served as Vice Chief of Staff at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, believes the time has come for allies to directly confront Trump’s rhetoric and actions with a clear ultimatum.

Trump’s Persistent Attacks on NATO

Donald Trump has consistently criticized NATO, questioning its value and the commitment of its member states. Recently, he went as far as to state he would quit the alliance, which recently marked its 77th anniversary. His disappointment was particularly noted regarding nations that distanced themselves from his actions concerning Iran.

Currently, approximately 76,000 American troops are stationed across 31 bases in Europe. While Trump cannot unilaterally withdraw troops or close bases without congressional approval, the rift between the United States and its European allies appears to be widening.

‘Bluster with Serious Consequences’

General Yakovlev described Trump’s threats as “bluster, but with very serious consequences.” He emphasized that Trump’s actions destabilize the alliance, which is fundamentally built on trust. “If you destroy trust beyond the institutions, beyond the legalities and all that, well, there’s not much standing for the alliance,” Yakovlev explained.

He noted that many European allies have moved from denial to a state of hoping no lasting damage is done before Trump is no longer in a position to dismantle the alliance. However, Yakovlev pointed out that legally, withdrawing from NATO requires a one-year notice, and U.S. law mandates a positive vote from Congress for the president to leave the alliance. He wryly commented that Trump is “not overly excited about legalities.”

The ‘Divorce’ Strategy

The general proposed a proactive approach: “The Europeans should and Canada, by the way, should gang up one day and say, ‘Look, we’ve talked to the lawyers about the divorce just for you to be aware.'” He warned that if Trump desires a “hard divorce,” it will indeed be a difficult separation.

Yakovlev highlighted the significant impact of losing U.S. bases in Europe. “Say goodbye to them. What becomes of global power of America without the bases in Europe? You’re going to have big problems, my friend,” he stated. He questioned where vital assets like the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean would be based without European territory, suggesting it could effectively end the fleet’s operational presence.

Europe’s Strategic Options

Yakovlev suggested that European nations, including France under President Macron, should adopt a firmer stance. “We’ve got to stand up to Big Bully essentially and call him to the sensors,” he urged. He used the example of U.S. operations in Iran, stating they could not have happened without access to European bases.

He also referenced NATO’s ballistic missile defense system as crucial for U.S. security, arguing that it protects American territory from debris falling on the U.S. rather than Europe. The general asserted that the U.S. military, diplomats, and think tanks generally recognize NATO’s essential role in American defense and as a significant market for American firms. Trump’s stance, he believes, goes against advice from nearly all serious advisors.

Leveraging NATO’s Value Proposition

When asked if European nations should publicly emphasize the benefits the U.S. derives from NATO, such as bases like Ramstein in Germany or the listening post in Northern England, Yakovlev expressed doubt about Trump’s receptiveness to quiet diplomacy.

Instead, he reiterated the need for a collective threat of a “hard divorce.” “Do not presume that if you say a hard goodbye to NATO, you’re still going to have all the advantages of NATO territory for basing and basically fall down of missiles,” he cautioned. He stressed that the 75-year investment in the alliance is not something to be discarded lightly.

A Collective Response Needed

Yakovlev believes the lead on such a strategy should be collective, involving major powers like Germany, the UK, France, and Italy, as well as countries like Poland and Greece. He proposed a unified message: “We’ve been very polite until now. But just for you to be aware, there are many advantages in you being in NATO beyond 75 years.”

The general concluded by emphasizing that while NATO offers significant benefits to the U.S., these advantages cannot be taken for granted if the U.S. decides to abandon the alliance. The future stability and operational reach of American global power, he argued, are intrinsically linked to its continued participation and constructive relationship within NATO.

Source: Nato Allies Should Threaten Trump With ‘Divorce’ Says Retired General (YouTube)