The central problem is that NATO was built as an American-dominated alliance, intentionally dependent on American leadership, sophisticated weaponry, intelligence and airlift. The current NATO command structure is essentially owned and operated by the United States, led by Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli.

“The United States is the linchpin of the alliance so we could control our allies and get them to do what we want,” Mr. Daalder said. More practically, the United States military is the skeleton of NATO, and “if you suddenly pull out the skeleton, the body dies.”

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