Former US President Donald Trump could potentially withdraw the United States from NATO if he wins the 2024 election, according to former White House aide John Bolton. Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security advisor, made this claim during an interview with US media outlet NewsNation, stating that “In a second Trump term, we’d almost certainly withdraw from NATO.” Bolton was removed from his position in September 2019 after failing to persuade the president to pursue regime-change wars in Iran and North Korea.
Bolton, known for his hawkish approach to foreign policy, has long advocated for regime changes in multiple countries including Cuba, Libya, Venezuela, Syria, and Yemen. He argued that Trump’s national security approach is “erratic” and ineffective, lacking a coherent philosophy or policy direction. According to Bolton, Trump’s decision-making process is primarily focused on personal gain, with little consideration for national security interests.
Despite facing criminal charges three times in the past four months, Trump continues to lead the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination race. A recent poll by The New York Times revealed that Trump and President Joe Biden are tied at 43% voter support in a hypothetical rematch of their 2020 battle.
Under Biden’s leadership, the US and its NATO allies have imposed sanctions on Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Biden administration has also provided billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine. In contrast, Trump has claimed that if reelected, he would end the bloodshed in Ukraine within 24 hours by bringing Russian and Ukrainian leaders to the negotiating table.
Bolton criticized Trump’s handling of various international situations, including his agreement with the Taliban to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan, which Bolton deemed a “disastrous mistake for America and for national security in the world.” He also faulted Trump for not effectively addressing the threat of terrorism from Iran after withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.
The possibility of a US withdrawal from NATO under a second Trump term raises concerns among allies and experts who believe that the military alliance plays a crucial role in maintaining global security. NATO serves as a collective defense organization, with member countries pledging to come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack. The withdrawal of the United States, as the alliance’s largest and most powerful member, would significantly weaken the organization and potentially undermine the security of its members.
As the 2024 election approaches, the potential consequences of Trump’s reelection on the international stage, particularly in relation to NATO and global security, will undoubtedly continue to be topics of discussion and concern.
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