NATO screwed up. Several member nations foolishly denied access to the US of bases and airspace. Bases that the US has largely funded and house American troops and assets for the protection of Europe. They have shown that NATO is a one way street with virtually no tangible benefitrs to the US other than protecting Europeans at US taxpayer expense.
What fools. Trump has been looking for leverage to grab Greenland. By their foolish actions, they gave him the leverage. Why stay in NATO with US troops and assets stationed all over Europe if those assets are not available to us when we need them? Perfect leverage to say "you have proven to the American people NATO will never be there for the US. If you want us to stick around, hand over Greenland".
You combine that with the Europen slackers not payng their agreed upon share, and you have the perfect reason for the US to substantially back off NATO. Cue the whiny Europeans now.
I believe there might be more options as to outcome. I DON'T believe Trump will be handed Greenland in order for the NATO nations to expiate their sins.
I DO believe NATO has proven themselves NOT to be our allies.
Trump has the option to withdraw from NATO after giving them 2 years notice. But I don't even think THAT willl happen.
Instead, I believe our MONEY might suddenly dry up...for NATO.
Western Europe has taken advantage of us for decades. It was only recently that Germany started paying its 2% share of GDP into defense.
And while we have been the backbone of their defense for the last 80 years, we still have to pay them rent for the military bases and training sites that we use.
@DallasCowboysFan While Europe has enjoyed the American security umbrella I don't know that I would say that the 'using' is all one way. America gets to have undue influence over European affairs by way of said military umbrella.