Only the U.S. is able to shake NATO to such an extent as to make it return to its primary task, namely the territorial defense of its members against attacks from the outside.
If you do not want to compete against a rising competitor, then you can simply buy him. But did Mark Zuckerberg overpay, or not?
Americans are neither the ideal nor the most credible ally.
The memoirs of the former U.S. secretary of defense do speak volumes — for some, a great deal too much.
The allies received assurances, the citizens, words of comfort, and companies, an implicit invitation to further talks.