M. Thomas Davis: Determination, experience, wisdom — Joe Biden has it, Donald Trump does not

Winston Churchill once noted that, “There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them.” It is among the many immediate misfortunes that the old Prime Minister is not around to give former president Trump a badly needed lesson in foreign policy.

Fortunately, President Joe Biden is around. Biden understands in a way Donald Trump never can, that international institutions of order under American leadership are essential for resisting rogue behavior and sustaining global stability. American leadership of NATO may be the most contemporary evidence of this, especially since the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

As a result of Biden’s leadership in response to Vladimir Putin’s unwarranted aggression, NATO is stronger, larger, more united, and has more resources than ever before.

Trump had done much the opposite to NATO. He had disparaged the importance of the Alliance, suggested he would not honor its Article 5 obligation of mutual defense, and threatened withdrawal from NATO. Trump’s last national security advisor, John Bolton, stated that Trump would certainly feel encumbered to withdraw from NATO if he were given a second term.

The NATO alliance, and Trump’s hostility to an American-led world order, was clear to Gen. Mark Milley, Trump’s then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley wrote in a much discussed unsent letter dated Jan. 8, 2021, “It is my deeply held belief that you’re ruining the international order, and causing significant damage to our country overseas,” adding that Trump’s understanding of the history of World War II was so distorted that, “In fact, you subscribe to many of the principles that we fought against.”

What is the source of Trump’s hostility to NATO? It has two dimensions. First, there is — as Milley noted — simple ignorance. Trump knows nothing of the history of the Alliance much less its structure and general importance. He seems fully unaware that for seventy-five years NATO has kept the peace in Europe. If it were not for NATO, the world would be very different, far more unstable. and very dangerous.

Second, Trump sees everything in transactional terms, fixated on which many NATO members were moving to meet a 2014 defense spending target of 2% of their annual GDP. Trump somehow mistakenly believes that this additional funding is owed to the United States — which it is not.

By any measure, this 2% spending metric in actuality only provides a signal of determination that is much more important than any additional military enhancement that will result. Biden understands this; Trump does not. Putin’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine has increased funding from nearly all members, reaching 2% or more.

Moreover, given Trump’s past statements regarding Putin, calling him “a genius,” after he invaded Ukraine, which has resulted in nearly 300,000 Russian military casualties, and more than 500,000 innocent civilians, is disturbing. Strange enough, Trump confessed that he spoke to Putin about his invasion plans. Trump has repeatedly made clear that he would not honor Article 5 and indeed tell Putin to do “whatever the hell he wants.” America must not allow bullies to get away with a land grab. We must ensure peace across Europe and prevent open season for would-be aggressors to threaten our security and prosperity.

Ronald Reagan stated regarding our leadership position in NATO and elsewhere, “We cannot shirk our responsibility as the leader of the free world, because we’re the only one that can do it. And, therefore, the burden of peace falls on us. And to maintain that peace requires strength.” He was correct.

M. Thomas Davis is a retired colonel in the United States Army and a former defense industry official who taught at the United States Military Academy.