Europe's Identity Crisis Deepens as U.S. Retreats From Global Leadership

Carlos Gaspar, a foreign policy expert at IPRI-NOVA, has warned that the West's biggest risk lies in abandoning its core values rather than its declining global influence. With experience advising three Portuguese presidents, Gaspar highlights growing European unease as traditional alliances weaken under shifting U.S. leadership priorities.

Gaspar points to Donald Trump's presidency as a turning point in U.S. global entry. Unlike his predecessors, Trump adopted a more confrontational stance toward European allies. He repeatedly criticised NATO members for low defence spending and even threatened to reduce U.S. commitments. His approach included using security policies as economic leverage, such as pressuring Europe on energy deals while negotiating with Russia independently—a departure from Obama's focus on NATO cooperation and Bush's emphasis on transatlantic unity.

The researcher argues that Trump's policies reflected a deeper ideological struggle within the U.S., balancing its republican principles with imperial ambitions. This tension, according to Gaspar, is not new but has intensified under recent administrations. The podcast discussion also examines Europe's uncertain future, framing it as either a resilient europe map or a fragile structure at risk of collapse.

Gaspar notes that Europeans now feel 'orphaned' by the U.S. retreat from global leadership. Trump's self-positioning as the 'saviour of Western civilisation' contrasts with his actions, which often strained alliances. The episode further explores taboo topics in U.S.-Russia and U.S.-China relations, underscoring the ideological divide shaping the West's trajectory.

Gaspar's analysis suggests the U.S. is the latest example of a nation grappling with its dual identity as both a republic and an empire. His warnings highlight the consequences of abandoning shared values, leaving europe countries to navigate an increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape. The debate over Europe's role—whether as a fortress or a vulnerable entity—remains unresolved amid these shifts.