When Donald Trump says America’s allies are “nothing” without the United States, he points to a real imbalance but reaches the wrong conclusion. The US does maintain a vast military presence across NATO countries. That presence gives Washington unmatched command, logistics, intelligence, and reach. Without the US, NATO would clearly be weaker.
But American power in Europe exists by consent, not entitlement. US bases sit on allied soil because partners provide geography, access, and political legitimacy. These bases allow the US to operate far beyond Europe, into the Middle East, Africa, and the Arctic. Without allies, America would be more isolated, more stretched, and less effective.
Now imagine those same bases are no longer given to the US, but to Russia or China. US power would shrink fast. Forward command centres disappear. Intelligence reach weakens. Power projection slows and becomes costlier. Influence retreats behind oceans.
The reality, then, is not “everything versus nothing,” but asymmetrical interdependence. NATO allies rely heavily on US capabilities, while the US relies on NATO to sustain its global reach. Confusing imbalance with insignificance may sound strong, but it misunderstands how power actually works.
Perhaps Trump can learn some strategy from a Malay peribahasa:
“Bulat air kerana pembetung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat.”
Water takes its shape because of its channel. People gain strength because of consensus.
Trump can also learn from The Art of War, the Chinese classic on strategy that Beijing is quietly practicing today. Sun Tzu taught that real power is not brute force, but positioning. The strongest power is the one others still choose to support.
Lose that consent, and power fades faster than any battlefield defeat.
Peace, anas
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