A World without American Leadership’: Top Allies Scaling Back Intelligence Sharing with America

Mar 6, 2025 | John Brennan, Former CIA Director and Courtney Kube, NBC News Pentagon Correspondent join Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to the shifting levels of trust in America’s allies with the Trump Administration, with alliances that took decades to build now on a breaking point, with some of the “Five Eyes” having discussions about scaling back the information that they share with the United States.

NATO’s Fate Hangs in the Balance as Trump-Putin Alliance Creates 'Abusive Relationship'

Mar 1, 2025 | “Who wants to trust somebody sitting in Washington and siding with President Putin?”

Donald Trump’s “unpredictable” and “mafia boss” behaviour leaves the relationship with Nato in the balance as the U.S. president allies with Vladimir Putin, says former Deputy assistant secretary general of Nato Stefanie Babst.

Scott Ritter: Trump Admits Russia Won, Putin CRUSHES Ukraine–NATO in TOTAL Collapse?

Feb 28, 2025 | SPECIAL Debate episode! Ukraine's final hour approaches as Russia's overwhelming advantages are bolstered by a US administration which openly admits to closest ally UK to the need to end the conflict as soon as possible. But is the US genuine about peace or seeking to regroup NATO in a different form to continue its pursuit for hegemony. This is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Article 5 Is Dead, Trump's Killed NATO Defence Deal

Feb 25, 2025 | “There's sufficient doubt about whether the Americans would honour article five. That effectively, collective defence is dead.”

Defence select committee member Mike Martin MP has blamed the US for killing Article 5 of the Nato agreement and that Ukraine, with its million men under arms and world-leading drone technology, should join NATO.

Krieg in der Ukraine: Wie groß ist die Gefahr für Europa? | ZDFheute live

Feb 25, 2025 | Drei Jahre ist es her, dass Russland die Ukraine überfallen hat. Drei Jahre, in denen zehntausende Menschen ihr Leben verloren haben, Millionen ihr Zuhause verlassen mussten und die Ukraine um ihr Überleben kämpft. Unterstützt vom Westen, allen voran den USA – doch diese Zeit ist vorbei.

Während die USA und Russland ohne ukrainische Beteiligung über ein mögliches Kriegsende sprechen, muss sich Europa zunehmend selbst um seine Sicherheit kümmern. Allen voran um die der Ukraine.

Putin werde die Nato testen, erklärt Militärhistoriker Neitzel. Und wenn Europa Friedenstruppen in die Ukraine schicke, sei das Baltikum nicht mehr verteidigungsbereit.

Trump Is Destroying Western Unity as He ‘Cosies’ Up to Putin | Andrew Neil

Feb 24, 2025 | “Trump seems to be keener to cosy up to Putin than he is to defend his NATO allies.”

If Trump continues in his approach this is “the end in many ways” of a united western world, says Times Radio’s Andrew Neil.


FT! FA! LE! – © Mark Alexander

M. Gessen: "If Ukraine Falls, All of Europe Could Fall" | Amanpour & Co

Feb 21, 2025 | Jaw-dropping, head-spinning, an earthquake -- all descriptives that have been applied to President Trump's foreign policy. Bringing Russia in from the cold, selling-out Ukraine and strong-arming allies all may be part of Trump's negotiating style. Yet leaders of nations are reeling at what they see as a betrayal of the NATO consensus.

At the same time, observers of American democracy have been stunned by the speed and apparent ease with which Trump and Musk are barrelling through federal institutions and testing the boundaries of executive power.

Journalist Masha Gessen is a vocal critic of both the Kremlin and Trump. Last year, Gessen was convicted in absentia and sentenced by a Moscow court for reporting on the conflict in Ukraine. Gessen's recent reporting explores how authoritarianism can take root in a democracy.

Masha Gessen joins the show to put this critical moment into context.

Originally aired on February 21, 2025

Trump Cozies up to Russia — Why “Nobody Trusts America”

Feb 21, 2025 | As the Russia-Ukraine war stretches into its fourth year, I spoke with former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul about the conflict’s global stakes. Following the Trump administration’s divisive peace talks with Russia that sidelined Ukraine, McFaul analyzes the geopolitical fallout, NATO’s future, and the shifting role of the U.S. on the world stage. How will Trump’s relationship with Putin reshape international alliances? And what are the risks of abandoning Ukraine? Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most pressing global crises of our time.

France Questions Trump's Logic as He Blames Zelenskyy for Starting War | 'Putin Love' Rattles NATO

Feb 19, 2025 | The French government is surprised by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks that his Ukrainian counterpart started the Russia war. French govt. spokesperson said that the NATO nation doesn't understand Trump's logic in blaming Ukraine for war unleashed by Russia. The comments came as Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Trump was living in a Russian-made disinformation bubble. Watch for more details.

Zelenskyy: 'The Most Influential Member of NATO Seems to Be Putin' | DW News

Feb 15, 2025 | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for increased European unity in the face of the threat posed by Russian aggression and the possibility that the US under Donald Trump could withdraw its support for Kyiv.

Zelenskyy pointed to intelligence suggesting that Russia was sending troops to Belarus as opening up the possibility of an attack on other European countries besides his own. "The time has come, the armed forces of Europe must be created," he said.

Zelenskyy also spoke about fears that the US might be planning to cut a bilateral deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine. "Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement. No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine, no decisions about Europe without Europe," he said.

He said security guarantees for Ukraine should include either NATO membership for Ukraine or "conditions that allow us to build another NATO here in Ukraine."

He concluded his speech with a call for world peace and "peace for all your families."

How Trump's Ukraine Plan Could Push Putin into World War

Feb 14, 2025 | "Mr. Putin has studied Mr. Trump, knows his ways and knows how to play him."

Trump's outlined plan to end the war in Ukraine would push Putin to make probing attacks on Russia's other neighbors unless the US can quickly provide solid security guarantees for Ukraine and NATO, warns Journalist and former OSCE spokesperson Michael Bociurkiw.

Is the US Turning Its Back on Ukraine and Europe with Drastic Shift on NATO? | DW News

Feb 12, 2025 | New US defense chief Pete Hegseth has ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine at a meeting of the military alliance in Brussels.

He also that Kyiv's goal of seeing its borders prior to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea was an "unrealistic objective."

Hegseth made clear as well that Washington's focus was no longer on supporting Europe or Ukraine's security, saying that European countries would have to provide the "overwhelming" majority of funding for Kyiv going forward.

DW spoke to defense analyst Rafael Loss from the European Council on Foreign Relations on what this seismic shift in Washington's stance towards Ukraine all means.

At the same time, Russia has rejected a proposal by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to swap Ukrainian-occupied territory in Russia for Ukrainian soil occupied by Moscow.

DW spoke to Andras Racz from the German Council on Foreign Relations about the significance of the offer from Zelenskyy.

Danish Leader Feeling the Heat Following Trump's Repeated Greenland Threats | DW News

Jan 29, 2025 | Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been racing across Europe trying to shore up support from allies, following Donald Trump's repeated threats over Greenland. The US President says he wants to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, and has refused to rule out using military force to do so. His demands have sent alarm bells ringing in Copenhagen and other European capitals.

How on earth can Trump possibly say that Greenlanders want to become Americans? That’s a load of Trumpian BS! One can but despise Trump for this. He has always been despised by decent people. If he continues down this road, not only will Trump be despised, but Americans and America itself will be despised too. Trump will turn the USA into a pariah state. – © Mark Alexander

Russia’s Sabotage of Western Targets ‘Could Trigger Nato Defence Clause’

THE GUARDIAN: German intelligence chief warns continued hybrid warfare by Moscow increases risk of alliance invoking Article 5

Russia’s acts of sabotage against western targets may eventually prompt Nato to consider invoking the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defence clause, the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service has warned.

Speaking at an event of the German Council of Foreign Relations (DGAP) think tank in Berlin on Wednesday, BND chief Bruno Kahl said he expected Moscow to further step up its hybrid warfare.

“The extensive use of hybrid measures by Russia increases the risk that Nato will eventually consider invoking its Article 5 mutual defence clause,” he noted.

“At the same time, the increasing ramp up of the Russian military potential means a direct military confrontation with Nato becomes one possible option for the Kremlin.”

Under Article 5, if a Nato member comes under attack, the other members of the alliance are obliged to help it respond. » | Reuters in Berlin | Wednesday, November 27, 2024

What is hybrid warfare, which some fear Russia will use after Ukraine’s strike?: Strike with US-made missiles has prompted fears of Russian reprisal that would broaden the scope of a frontline »

Retired US General Hodges: Trump's Presidency Poses Serious Risks for Ukraine and NATO | DW News

Nov 7, 2024 | Trump has said he could end Russia's war in Ukraine in one day. Some commentators have interpreted that as giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands over the heads of Ukrainians. Neverthelss, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky posted his congratulations on X:

"I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together. We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States."

For more on Trump's presidency and his foreign policy, we talk to retired US General Ben Hodges and to Boris Vormann, professor of politics and director of the politics section at Bard College Berlin.

Zelenskyy Meets with EU and NATO Leaders for Backing of His 'Victory Plan' | DW News

Oct 17, 2024 | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced his long-awaited victory plan to end his country's war with Russia. His plan includes Ukrainian NATO membership and permission for strikes inside Russia. Today Zelenskyy is to present his plan to EU lawmakers in Brussels. The Ukrainian President has another high level engagement in Brussels later today: a meeting of NATO defense ministers. NATO officials gathered this morning for the first such event chaired by the alliance's new chief Mark Rutte.

John Bolton: Trump 'Would Withdraw' from NATO If Re-elected

Jul 17, 2024 | Day 3 of the Republican National Convention is focusing on national security and foreign policy. Former Assistant to President Trump for National Security Affairs Amb. John Bolton speaks one-on-one with Katy Tur on how former President Trump will handle foreign affairs if re-elected.

Joe Biden Says Kamala Harris 'Qualified' to Take Over as President If Needed | BBC News

Jul 12, 2024 | US President Joe Biden insists he will not end his re-election bid because he believes he is best placed to beat Donald Trump in November.

But at a high-stakes press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, he told reporters his vice-president, Kamala Harris, was qualified to take over the top job if necessary. US President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Vice-President Harris as 'Trump' at the event.

Earlier, he misnamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as 'President Putin' while speaking to reporters about NATO’s support for Ukraine.

Biden Introduces Zelenskiy as ‘President Putin’ at Nato Summit

THE GUARDIAN: US president says ‘Ladies and gentleman, President Putin’, before realising mistake and correcting himself


Joe Biden has accidentally introduced the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as “President Putin” in a gaffe that will fuel further concerns about his mental acuity that have threatened to scuttle his presidential campaign.

Biden made the mistake while flanked by Nato leaders during a signing ceremony alongside Zelenskiy on the final day of the Nato summit in Washington. It came just an hour before a rare press conference by Biden that has been called “make-or-break” for his campaign, as a growing number of political allies and donors have been calling for him to drop out of the race.

Concluding his opening remarks, Biden handed over to Zelenskiy with the words: “Now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination.” » | Andrew Roth Dan Sabbagh and Pippa Crerar in Washington | Friday, July 12, 2024

NATO on the Edge: Biden Praises and Trump Denigrates a 75-Year Alliance

THE NEW YORK TIMES: As leaders gathered in Washington to mark the anniversary of the organization, they heard starkly different messages from two American presidents on NATO’s future.

As NATO leaders gathered in Washington this week, one American president hailed the 75-year defensive alliance as the greatest “in the history of the world.”

Another described it as a virtual protection racket and declared that he would abandon “delinquent” members to the mercies of Russian invaders.

President Biden was the official host, greeting his European and North American counterparts in Washington with smiles, handshakes and solidarity, posing for grip-and-grin pictures and boasting of the progress and principle underlying the historic partnership. Former President Donald J. Trump was nowhere to be seen, not part of the formal events, but adding his voice from afar at a rally and in an interview.

“The fact that NATO remains the bulwark of global security did not happen by accident,” Mr. Biden said at an opening ceremony in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where the North Atlantic Treaty was signed in 1949. “It wasn’t inevitable. Again and again, at critical moments, we chose unity over disunion, progress over retreat, freedom over tyranny and hope over fear. Again and again, we stood behind our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous trans-Atlantic community.”

Just two hours after Mr. Biden finished, Mr. Trump took the stage at a campaign event in Doral, Fla., and denigrated the alliance. He made no mention of its contributions to history, its victory in the Cold War or its role in defending Europe today as the war in Ukraine continues. Indeed, he acknowledged that he had been largely ignorant about the organization until he became president. But he then boasted about how he berated the allies as deadbeats. » | Peter Baker, Reporting from Washington | Thursday, July 11, 2024