How Europe is moving on from Trump's America
February 23, 2026
Global Stage LIVE from United Nations WATCH REPLAY
As Washington walks away from its postwar, European leaders—from Emmanuel Macron to Friedrich Merz—signaled something unexpected: they may be ready to move forward without the United States.
On GZERO World, Ian Bremmer sits down with former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder to unpack what could be a historic turning point in the transatlantic alliance. “No, it’s not going to be the same as it’s been in the past decades,” Daalder says. “That’s gone.” But he argues this isn’t the end of the relationship, it’s a rebalancing that Europe should have begun years ago after what he calls decades of “unilateral disarmament.”
The Russian threat, he warns, is far from over. Moscow’s economy has been transformed into a war machine, and even if the fighting in Ukraine pauses, Europe will face a battle-hardened adversary on its doorstep. Meanwhile, Western production shortfalls and a US retreat from military aid have left serious gaps in Europe’s defenses. Is this the moment Europe finally stands on its own?
Every week on GZERO World with Ian Bremmer, Ian explains the key global stories of the moment, sits down for an in-depth conversation with the newsmakers and thought leaders shaping our world.
Watch GZERO World on US public television and on GZERO's YouTube channel. GZERO WORLD with Ian Bremmer is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS.
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