Europe on edge: The ominous spectre of a Trump comeback and its stakes for Western security

In the looming shadow of the 2024 U.S. election, Europe grapples with profound anxieties over the potential return of Donald Trump. Former diplomats express deep concern about the impact on alliances, citing Trump's affinity for Putin, hostility to NATO, and the likely repercussions for Ukraine. This unprecedented alarm reflects fears of a Trump-led assault on democracy itself. Recalling historical parallels, Europeans emphasise the pivotal role the U.S. plays in safeguarding Western security, underscoring the urgent need for strategic self-reliance amid growing geopolitical challenges from Russia and China.

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By Max Hastings

The US always matters to Europe, but seldom more so than now. An acute fear stalks the continent: that Donald Trump might be America's president for a second time. Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, told the New York Times that Europeans are "deeply, deeply concerned about the 2024 election and how it will impact the alliance. No matter the topic, Ukraine or NATO cohesion, it's the only question asked."

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