The recent dispute between Greece and Turkey has again raised questions around the sustainability of the NATO Alliance. However, one of the Alliance’s loudest critics in recent years has been US President Donald Trump, despite the United States' critical role within it. But are such criticisms political rhetoric or are they part of a wider strategic recalculation by the US as its national security concerns outside of Europe multiply?

Meia Nouwens discusses this question with IISS–Americas Executive Director EJ Herold and Research Fellow Henry Boyd in this episode of Sounds Strategic. As Henry and EJ explain, there is increasing evidence that the US Department of Defense considers China, rather than a resurgent Russia, as its greatest strategic challenge for the foreseeable future. 

They also discuss how this rebalancing of US strategic priorities towards the Asia-Pacific will adversely affect the European member states of NATO, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We hope you enjoy listening to the episode. Don’t forget to follow, rate and subscribe to Sounds Strategic on wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Date of recording: 22 September 2020

Sounds Strategic is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.

Theme music: ‘Safety in Numbers’ by We Were Promised Jetpacks

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