Nuclear weapons are treated by the governments that have them as a useful tool. Obtaining a nuclear weapon enters you into a rare club where you are Taken Seriously. It also allows you to credibly defend yourself against countries much more powerful, larger, and more militarised than oneself.
Which is why the European Union is becoming increasingly interested in developing an independent nuclear deterrent. Contrary to the headline-inducing claims of their leaders, most European Union member states are not actually rearming (sans the Baltics, Poland, and a few others). But they are aware that Russia remains eager to restore its control over its near-abroad, which now includes a fair few EU member countries. This caused Western European leaders – who are aware that Russia does not really threaten their own states – to pursue an all-out attempt in order to keep the Trump administration involved in NATO, the cheapest way to keep the EU defended without them having to actually spend significantly more money.
Over a year since President Trump re-took office, however, it is clear that it has not worked. The administration – which was temporarily mollified by NATO member states’ agreement to spend 5 per cent of GDP on military and military-related expenditures by 2035 – has increasingly soured on the organisation lately, particularly after multiple member states refused American access to their bases or overflight rights during the Iran War. Lists are reportedly being drawn up of countries which need to face consequences, and even formerly supportive figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been asking why the United States is in NATO if members will not allow America to project power.
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