Executive Summary
• Despite the Biden administration’s push to revitalize U.S. alliances, U.S. relations with NATO are due for a reset. The United States should incentivize European members of NATO to take on additional responsibilities for their defense.
• Encouraging the European allies to take initiative will help the United States focus on its other domestic and international priorities and may facilitate improving relations with Russia. This approach will also prove attractive to European states concerned about the future direction of U.S. foreign policy.
• Recalibrating the U.S. role in Europe would conform with the United States’ post–World War II efforts to stabilize European security and stand as the fruit of Washington’s success in this regard.