US is interested in strong NATO

American security policy is based on a system of alliances. The most important of which was, is and will be NATO. Facing new challenges, Washington is interested in strengthening the alliance. Belarus will continue attempts to improve relations with the United States in the security sphere. However, she is unlikely to progress much: from the western military perspective, Belarus is an appendage to the Russian military machine.

The Trump’s victory in the presidential race in the United States has raised concerns in Central and Eastern Europe about his position regarding the US commitments to NATO allies.

After the September 11^th, 2001 terrorist attack, international security has been a priority for the US foreign policy. The American military and political elite came to a consensus that US security was impossible without preserving American leadership’s reliance on many allies around the world. Trump did not question this formula either, however pointed (in a very rude manner) to the disproportionately small contribution of Europeans in maintaining regional and global security. As part of NATO, European countries account for about 55% of the population and more than 40% of GDP, but only 20% of the total military expenditures. This imbalance was upsetting Washington for many years, both, the elite and ordinary people, who believed that American taxpayers paid for European security.

America is disappointed with the European slackness. The US needs strong allies capable of decisive coordinated action. Meanwhile, even in its present form, NATO is the main instrument for maintaining American military leadership on a global scale. It simply has no alternative.

Fears of NATO paralysis due to Trump’s actions are premature. Washington is likely to step up its efforts in ensuring a more significant contribution by European allies to a common safety. Simultaneously, the United States will develop a system of regional alliances and bilateral co-operation around the world with those countries, which would be willing to act as partners, not as a burden. In Eastern Europe, these would include Poland, Estonia and Romania. Belarus will continue attempts to improve relations with the United States in the security sphere. However, she is unlikely to progress much: from the western military perspective, Belarus is an appendage to the Russian military machine.