The United States as the Reluctant Ally

US leadership in NATO has been declining since the Cold War ended.From a European perspective, the United States looks more and more like a "reluctant ally."A re-nationalization of European security could occur without strong US leadership.The United States should, therefore, reassert itself in European security affairs-not with costly troop contributions, but by facilitating European unity and the development of relevant force structures.S ince its creation in 1949, NATO has been the most important alliance for America.US engagement and leadership in NATO has, however, been declining since the Cold War ended; this has been especially true during the Obama administration and in particular since the Libya War in 2011.In general, Obama's administration has engaged less in international security affairs; the strategic rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific has definitely moved the US focus from Europe to that region. 1 Although the US government plans to send more troops to Europe during 2017 and takes Russian aggression seriously, military operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria have moved Washington's focus from Ukraine and Russia to the Middle East.In addition, the appetite for supporting Europe among US politicians and the American public seems to have declined.From a European perspective, the United States looks more and more like a "reluctant ally," a characterization normally used by Washington to describe some of NATO's allies during the Cold War. 2 How does this reluctance manifest itself?What might it lead to?How should the United States act to facilitate more security in the transatlantic region without increasing the costs for American taxpayers?A re-nationalization or division of European defense and security is likely to occur without strong US leadership, and that will probably lead to a stronger Russian influence in European affairs which is clearly not in Washington's interest.The United States should, therefore, regain its leading role in European security affairs-not with massive troop contributions, as in the Cold War, but with strong and firm leadership that can facilitate European unity and help to create relevant force structures capable of defending Europe and contributing to its security.