Looking ahead: Trump was reconciled, and NATO leaders avoided frontal clash

The bitterness and confusion that preceded the summit of leaders in London remained almost unmatched when it was agreed to form a strategic team for a rethink of the Transatlantic Alliance goals. Diplomats depended on the success of the summit in US presidential behavior: "He acted as a team player more than a disruptive factor"

Looking ahead: Trump was reconciled, and NATO leaders avoided frontal clash

This was initially seen as a return of the horrible NATO summit in July 2018, when US President Donald Trump began preaching morality to European Allies and threatening Washington's retirement from the post-World War II Transatlantic Military Alliance. French President Emmanuel Macron stunned his leadership counterparts Which took place on the outskirts of London when he declared that NATO was "brain dead", a comment that Trump called "very, very nasty."

However, at the three-hour meeting, state leaders agreed to appoint a group of experts to formulate a strategic review for two years to prepare the West for the future - and on their way home there was little evidence of the bitterness that preceded the summit. Diplomats said the "brain death" debate was key in avoiding an explosion and may have spurred Trump to present a more positive stance on the Alliance than those he had previously advocated.

Beyond the astonishment and confusion that erupted following Macron's comment, France and Germany proposed last month to conduct a study to analyze the future of the Alliance by a group of "smart people." Their idea was vague, but, according to a senior NATO diplomat, United States Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg took advantage of this to relieve some of the tension at the summit.

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Agreements have replaced the confusion. Johnson, Macron and Stoltenberg (Photo: Reuters)

Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron, and Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Summit, November 4, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

"It was needed," Macron's adviser said. "If he hadn't ignited the debate, they would have come here, picked up a glass for the queen's life and ... returned to their home even though we are facing an internationally challenging time." Macron himself told reporters that the results of the summit "demonstrated the necessity of our comments," and introduced himself to an ice-breaking ship during her freezing seas. "It left the ice cracked, but also opened through passage," he said.

Diplomats depended on Trump's relative success at Trump's behavior, which during the 2018 summit questioned NATO's value in its tweets and scolded US companies for not spending enough money on security. Apart from his comment on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he called "bipartisan “After being mocked by the US president, diplomats have argued that Trump was extraordinarily conciliated.

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"We've seen a very moderate Trump"

Thus, in a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he gently protested that Berlin was "slightly below" the target by which the United States would spend 2% of their GDP on security. "I can only say that we had a good discussion about dealing with content," Merkel told reporters . ”There was room for other, more strategic, questions as well. I had the impression that a mutual understanding of the different geographical situations was growing. "

"We have seen a very moderate Trump," one European diplomat said, while another diplomat said the US president was "more a team player than a disruptive factor." U.S. officials have said increasing NATO membership spending on security has soothed Trump, and other leaders appear to have learned to cope with his volatile nature at such events.

Trump is facing impeachment proceedings in the House and must prepare for what is expected to be a tough battle for reelection next year. "Would it be in his best interest to start an international conflict in the background of a political campaign at home? I don't think it would have been lucrative," said the second diplomat.

"Extraordinarily Reconciled." Trump and Erdogan at NATO summit (Photo: Reuters)

US President Trump, Turkish President Erdogan and other leaders at the conclusion of the NATO summit in London, December 4, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

As a remnant of the Cold War, and a body that has been criticized for years for its failures in addressing security challenges such as global terrorism, the Alliance has found a renewed challenge in its eastern wing following the Russian annexation of the Crimea in 2014. But the military operation that Turkey launched in Syria in October, against the wishes of its allies, and Trump's NATO zig-zag policy, have led diplomats to wonder about the main points of the Alliance's strategy today. In their final statement, leaders said they were "taking into account the changing environment. "And instructed Stoltenberg to give them, probably next April, plans for" self-examination process with the look ahead. "

A more flexible peak. Trudeau and Trump (Photo: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the NATO Summit - December 4, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Among the ideas put forward by diplomats was a proposal to change the Alliance's goal, as defined since its inception in 1949 as a defense of Europe and North America, so that its powers could also include activities in other regions, such as intervening in the eight-year civil war in Syria.

Some diplomats said the review could be lengthened, and that it could turn NATO into yet another legislative body devoid of legislative powers that make statements about disputes beyond its control. In any event, Paris and Berlin said they wanted a more resolute alliance, and Trump - who previously described NATO in line as an "outdated" body - praised the alliance as "more flexible" during the summit.

(First update: 9:48)